Assistant Safety Director Alec Schaufenbuel returned today after three days in Kansas City completing OSHA’s 502 Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers class. Alec first took this course in 2014. To maintain his authorization, he must go through an updated training course every four years. The class allows Alec to provide 10- and 30-hour OSHA courses to our employees.
OSHA’s 10- and 30-hour training courses are designed to teach workplace safety and reduce jobsite hazards. These courses cover fall protection, personal protective equipment (PPE), electrocution, scaffolding and other industry hazards and safety practices. We believe that continuing education is an important opportunity that we try to offer when available and appropriate, especially where safety is concerned. We offer safety courses to our employees as needed and all of our Superintendent, Foremen, Project Managers, and Project Engineers are 30-hour OSHA trained.
In addition to our OSHA safety courses, we require weekly Toolbox Talks in the field. These talks are given by our project Foreman and cover a variety of topics. They remind crews of basic safety practices and provide an opportunity for the crew to ask questions on the specific topic or others that they might encounter in their day to day work.
Alec visits our jobsites each week and performs a safety audit. He walks the sites to see if there are any issues that can be resolved with a quick chat – such as ensuring proper PPE is being worn and that electrical cord inspections are performed. He also notes hazards to be mindful of for both Neumann employees and our subcontractor’s. His visits help keep safety a top priority for everyone on the jobsite.