Marketing Coordinator – BLM Construction & Remodeling, LLC

Toolbox Talk: Eliminations of Hazards

September 4, 2020

When discussing how to mitigate hazards in the workplace there is a hierarchy of controls that is often referred to. The safeguards we use to control hazards fall into the various levels on the hierarchy. The hierarchy of controls outlines the safeguards used to mitigate a hazard from most effective to least effective. A common version of the hierarchy from most effective to least effective control is listed as: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE (personal protective equipment). Elimination should always be considered first when attempting to mitigate hazards in the workplace.

Relying on Lower Levels of Controls

If we do not first attempt to eliminate or use effective engineering controls to protect ourselves against hazards, we have to resort to using some type of PPE or another less effective safeguard. This is not an effective way to prevent injuries and accidents. Safeguards that would fall under the PPE level of the hierarchy of controls are far less effective than safeguards that eliminate or engineer out hazards. An example would be relying on a pair of gloves to protect your fingers from a pinch point hazard instead of ensuring there is proper guarding around the pinch point. PPE should always be considered the last line of defense and employees should have this mindset as well.

Elimination

Elimination of hazards is the most effective way to protect employees against injuries. However, far too often companies or individual employees do not take the time to plan out work tasks or the time to actually eliminate the hazards they are faced with. Everyday millions of workers are faced with hazards that they do not need to be exposed to. Proper planning of work, thinking about alternative safer ways to complete a work task, and allocating the necessary resources to complete the task are some of the first steps supervisors can take to begin to eliminate hazards. At the worker level, hazard recognition and the elimination mindset is important to ensure any additional hazards are eliminated.

Quick Examples of Eliminating Hazards

John Smith sees a hammer hanging half way off of a piece of equipment that is being worked on and tells the mechanic it is up there. Instead of just not trying to knock the hammer off the elevated surface the mechanic decides to remove it and put it back on the tool bench. This ensures he or anyone else will not be struck by it falling.
Two cooks have cut their fingers while sharpening knives at XYZ Restaurant. The manager of the restaurant decided to make a new policy that knife sharpening is completed by a third party company and not by the cooks in the restaurant. The sharpeners are removed from the restaurant and the cooks are trained on the new policy.
ACME Construction Company is excavating and moving excessive dirt for a footer of a large warehouse. Due to excessive rain, the site conditions make it very dangerous for dump trucks to operate. The superintendent decides to shut down dump trucks for the day and have only the dozer operators to come in to dress up the site.

Discussion points:

-Are there hazards that we are relying on PPE or a lower level control to mitigate the hazard instead of eliminating it completely?

-Is there any other example of eliminating hazards that you can think of?

Toolbox Talk – Fall Prevention

Toolbox Talk - Fall Prevention

May 12, 2020

Preventing Trip Hazards in the Workplace

If you really think about it, the mere act of walking is actually a very complex task. You have to raise one foot and move it forward just the right distance, then place it back down and retain your balance as you, almost simultaneously, repeat the process with the other foot. Yet for most able-bodied people, walking from one place to another happens with very little, if any, conscious effort, almost like you are on auto-pilot. But when something unexpectedly impedes the forward movement of one of your feet, it can cause you to trip and fall.

So, here are a few things we can do as individuals to eliminate, or at least minimize, trip hazards at work and home.

Do not place extension cords, hoses, or similar items across designated walking paths. Or, if doing so on a temporary basis is absolutely unavoidable for some reason, be certain to make the hazard highly visible by placing safety cones or other effective warning devices to alert others of its presence until it can be removed.
Same thing goes for setting bags, boxes, tools, or other items in designated walking areas, even temporarily. Instead, place such items on counters or appropriate storage areas.
Be on the lookout for any damaged flooring surfaces, such as broken or missing tiles, broken concrete, or edges of carpet that have come loose from the floor. If you do see such a hazard, take immediate steps to alert others, and then report it to your supervisor or safety representative so it can be repaired.
Always pre-survey areas where you will be walking while carrying any large object, such as a box, that could block your view, so you can relocate any tripping hazards beforehand.
Always keep a firm grip with one hand on a handrail when ascending stairs. That will give you something to hold on to should you catch the toe of your shoe or boot on the edge of a step. Of course, you should hold the handrail when descending stairs, too.
Avoid walking in areas where there is little or no light. It is too easy to trip on or over something if you cannot see it in the dark. Take the time to make sure the overhead lights are turned on, if available, and if not, use a flashlight or other portable light source to help you see. Report burned out lightbulbs, too.
Last but not least, avoid walking backwards. It is very easy to trip backwards over something on the floor that you cannot see. And it’s harder to recover your balance if you do happen to trip.

Diligence in identifying and avoiding trip hazards is the key to avoiding falls.

12 Point Plan For BLM Public And Employee Health

DIY Gone Awry

December 19, 2019

We recently received a call from a man who was in need of our assistance. It turns out he tried to renovate their bathroom. It seemed like a simple project at the time. It did not take him long to realize that he was in over his head. He put the bathroom together enough that they could use it, well at least take baths. The shower was still not working. Then he called us.

This is not an uncommon occurrence. With the advent of HGTV and all the DIY shows as well as all the big box hardware stores, it does not seem to daunting a task to replace or renovate a room in your home. You can go into one of those stores and buy a fully equipped bathroom or kitchen. You can find everything from the flooring to ceiling and all that is required in between.

Although this is a great thing, there are times when you want to hire a professional contractor. Let’s face it, once you start taking things apart, well it’s just not as easy as they make it look on tv.

Home renovations can be stressful under the best of circumstances. All it takes is one faulty wire or dodgy plumbing and your plans go totally down the tube, literally. Working with a contractor can be just what you need. As a contractor, we come alongside you and help organize the project, deal with any permitting that may be required, provide you with accurate drawings that meet code and then we manage the trades that are needed to finish this project. Even for a small bathroom project, you may need all that we referenced above and a plumber, electrician, tile installer, drywall installer as well as a painter and that’s just a small bathroom.

It is actually a great partnership, to work with a contractor, to get the job done fast and done right. It may be counterintuitive but by working with a contractor you will actually save money and time. More important than that is your home will be safe. What is your time, safety and peace of mind worth to you?

Communication is Key!

December 13, 2019

Imagine starting a construction project in your home and being able to know, at any moment, where your project is in the process. Also, imagine being able to see who will be working in your home and when. Doesn’t this sound like an idyllic way to do business with a general contractor? This is how we do business with our customers.

When you start working with us, we add you to our system and assign a secure customer login to a portal (window) which gives you access to all the information you will need regarding your project. With just a click of a mouse and a few keys on your keyboard or phone, you will know when the project starts, who is working when and you will see what the deadlines are for each aspect of you job. Whether it is a one week job or a two month job, you will be empowered to see your job with just a few clicks. We believe in coming alongside our clients and working with them to get their job done.

With this information, you will have peace of mind knowing your job is being handled with the same love and care you would give it!

Reflecting – Throw Back Time

Reflecting - Throw Back Time

December 5, 2019

As we come to the end of the year and start to wind down, most are looking forward to what is next year, setting goals. We are as well, but sometimes it is good to reflect back to see how far we have come. This picture is from 2011 of Barry and Heidi, Owner and Office Manager of the company. It’s fun to look back!

BLM Construction & Remodeling, LLC has been in business for 19 years. As a company we have grown so much. As couple and owners of the company, they love to see how far they have come. They look forward to many more years of fulfilling clients needs when it comes to building and renovating.

There Is Value In Hiring a Contractor… What’s Holding You Back?

There Is Value In Hiring a Contractor... What's Holding You Back?

December 4, 2019

When we talk to our clients after a job is done, some of the feedback we get is, “I wish I had done this sooner”. When we dig in to find out why they didn’t, often we find one of the main reasons is that they heard horror stories of working with contractors to do their construction. Even one of employees had her own “horror stories.” Here she shares it in her own words.

“I had a roof that needed to be repaired. I hired a contractor who was the husband of a coworker. Long story short, he took the deposit, started the job, and never came back. He left material on my roof which started flying off with the wind. We had to find another contractor to finish the job and the money was gone. That made me gun shy to bring in anyone to do work.

Fast forward to today! I now work for BLM Construction & Remodeling, LLC and see the behind the scenes of the construction world. I have learned so much. The biggest thing I learned is the importance of hiring a general contractor to oversee the work. I now know if I had BLM Construction & Remodeling, LLC overseeing my roof job not only would it have been done, it would have been done well, on time and on budget. BLM Construction & Remodeling, LLC makes sure the person doing the job is where they said they should be and doing what they said they would be doing. I lost more than money on that roofing job. I lost my time to get the job done right and I lost confidence in construction in general.”

We have worked with clients who tried to oversee their own construction, manage all the contractors needed and keep track of the expenses. They soon realized they needed help. We were able to come in and get all the contractors on the same page, helped organize the schedules to get everything done, took care of any inspections and permitting issues and managed the project budget.

BLM Construction & Remodeling is here to make sure you don’t have any regrets. Our goal is to come alongside you to help your dreams come true!

Where You Have To Go

December 2, 2019
By: Lia Allen

As I watch HGTV shows with my mom, one of our favorite things to do together, I am taken aback by how many people talk about their bathroom as a spa or retreat. A place where they want to spend lots of time. In fact, they often say no one else can use this sacred space. I never thought of a bathroom in that way. Then I thought a little more about my life raising two busy boys. Honestly, until I became a mom, spending time in the bathroom was not a big deal. It was a utilitarian issue. I went, took care of what I needed to and I was out. Then the little ones came and they got bigger. Suddenly, my bathroom was the only place I could go for a moment by myself. The door was closed and I felt like it was a moment of sanctuary.

Apparently this is not an isolated situation. According to a survey of 2,000 British adults, the average person will spend 416 days of their life in the bathroom. More specifically, men will spend 373 days, or 23 minutes per day; and women will spend 456 days, or 29 minutes per day. It truly was eye opening for me to think about the amount of time one spends in a room. It makes more sense why people are investing in those rooms. Afterall, if you are going to be spending that much time in your bathroom, don’t you want it to be a refreshing, inspiring room that brings you joy?

When our clients are planning their renovations, it is not surprising that a new or renovated bathroom is often at the top of their list. These pictures are just one example of a before and after bathroom we did for a client to help them create a space they don’t just have to be in but want to be in.

Making Room For Family

November 18, 2019

We love our clients and their hearts. This is what gets us up in the morning, to help families take care of their families. Here is a great example. Our client has an uncle that was not is thriving in a nursing home. They decided to bring him to their home. But to do that right, they wanted to make sure he is comfortable and feels welcome. BLM Construction & Remodeling, LLC is in the process of creating a new wheelchair accessible bathroom and making sure the doors are wide enough for him to get through. This will change his life in such an amazing way, and it will also change their lives. The best part is we get to be a part of it.

Here is a picture of the start of the process, a little demo and a little framing. We are on our way!