Weekly Toolbox Talk: Jobsite Sanitation

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Jobsite sanitation is critical to your health and well being. All kinds of diseases can be present around the jobsite locations, drinking water containers and toilet facilities. If you have a medical condition such as, high blood pressure, diabetes, seizures etc that can be jeopardized by weather conditions, work elevation, or chemical reactions to certain materials use on the jobsite make sure you notify us so we can determine the task you will be assigned to.

Good work Practices

• Always wash hands before touching any cut or irritated skin
• Do not eat or drink in areas with no ventilation or potential chemicals exposure.

Drinking water- Drinking water must be available at all construction sites no matter how many employees are working. The following requirements are a must for drinking water: 

• It must be clean and drinkable
• A common drinking cup is prohibited; only disposable cups are to be used. Water cannot be dipped from containers
• Portable water containers must be sealable and have a tap. DO NOT OPEN CONTAINERS TO PUT DRINKS SUCH AS, TO COKES, ENERGY DRINKS, ETC. If you get caught doing this you will be suspended for a minimum of two days up to including termination.
• When using “one serving” disposable cups, a sanitary unused cup and a used cup container must be provided.

Toilets at construction sites- Toilets must be provided for employees in the following numbers:

• 20 workers or more 1-toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers
• 200 workers or more 1-toilet seat and 1 urinal per 50 workers.

Insects—Protection from bites and stings is your first defense. Some personal protection measures you can use to avoid getting stung include: 

• Avoid swatting at flying insects. Instead, gently brush them aside or just wait for them to fly away. 
• Never wear sweet-smelling colognes and deodorants. Insects are attracted to them.
• Avoid wearing bright colored clothing with flowery patterns. Many insects can’t tell the real thing from a manufactured one.
• Do not eat in areas where there are insects since many are attracted to food odors 

Spiders—generally occupy dark, undisturbed sites, and they can occur indoors or outdoors. They thrive in human-altered environments. Indoors, they may be found in attics, basements, crawl spaces, cellars, closets, registers, ductwork, or remodeling jobs. Spiders may be also found underneath logs, loose stones in rock piles, and stacks of lumber.

Animals—Many animals are attracted to shelters and waste dumps, and may carry serious diseases. Infections are a common result, and rabies is a concern in wild animals as well as wandering dogs and cats. Not long ago we had an employee that had a scratch from a rat while taking his lunch. Be aware of the place where you decide to stand, sit or take your break, animals could be around that area. Housekeeping is very important. When you finish eating your lunch, make sure you pick up your trash and dispose of it. Leaving trash behind is also a reason why animals are present on the jobsite. First aid for bites and scratches from animals should include cleaning the wound with soap and clean water, applying an antibiotic cream, and then covering it.

REPORT ALL INJURIES

The important thing to remember is to report all injuries, even though they are minor and no physical damage is apparent. Get proper first aid and see a doctor if necessary.