Champion Safety Newsletter - July 2023 - Champion Specialty Services Provider

Work Safe This Summer

Why Facts Matter

It’s now officially summer. As the temperature outside continues to rise, so does the danger of working in it. Every year, thousands of workers experience some form of injury or illness related to on-the-job heat exposure. Some even die. Fortunately, most of these adverse outcomes are preventable.

The most serious illness related to heat exposure is heat stroke, though heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rash should also be avoided. Employers can help to reduce workplace heat stress by using engineering and administrative (work practice) controls. An engineering control can be a change in the design of a workplace that results in reduced exposure to heat. Administrative controls, on the other hand, are changes to tasks or schedules that lead to reduced heat stress.

Be Aware Of Your Environment

Wear and regularly reapply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

Be aware of critters, insects, ticks, spiders and snakes that may be in your area.

Avoid coming into contact with plants like poison oak, ivy and sumac.

Dispose of garbage immediately to avoid attracting raccoons, rats, and other wild animals.

Be Prepared for lightning – know your safe location if lightning is spotted.

Avoid Heat-Related Illnesses

Check the weather before work.

Fight the sun and wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes and a hat.

Consider water-dampened or reflective clothing, cooling vests, cooling towels.

Wear sunscreen and reapply regularly – at least every two hours.

Drink water or an electrolyte drink – one cup (eight ounces) every 15-20 minutes – even when you’re not thirsty.

Take scheduled rest breaks in air-conditioned or cool, shaded areas.

Remove unneeded protective equipment while on break.

Be a “Buddy” and watch for co-workers’ heat-related illness symptoms.

Visit nsc.org for more resources.

Champion Crew of the Month

The I-480 Valley View Bridge Project is in Independence, Ohio, where Champion is contracted with Walsh Construction Company II, LLC. This has been an ongoing project since 2020 and consists of Eastbound (EB) and Westbound (WB) bridges that are being fully remediated via dry abrasive blasting and application of an ODOT specified Sherwin Williams coating system. Champion is utilizing a Safe Span Platform for access as the scope is inclusive of all spans and exclusion zones. The bridge painting season begins May 1st and ends October 31st and Champion has worked diligently to maximize its efforts during this very limited period.

Champion’s crew consists of 15-20 highly skilled tradesman from the IUPAT with Jonathan Davis fulfilling role of Project Foreman. Jonathan has shown exemplary leadership skills and quality workmanship dealing with all aspects of the scope of work coupled with daily coordination with our customer. The Champion crew has currently worked over 61,000 hours with the Project scheduled to be completed by October 31, 2023.

Great job to our Valleyview Team!