Bethany, Conn.— Laticrete launched its ProjectSafety campaign, a company initiative that provides access to safety education and alternative installation techniques. It is designed, the company said, to help lower the staggering injury and ailment statistics associated within the construction industry.
“While construction is a vital part of the nation’s economy, it poses a physically demanding toll on its workforce that can often result in injuries and time away from work,” said Spencer Maheu, director, product management, Laticrete. “Now, like never before, we are doubling down on our focus on helping create safer work environments for all in our industry and drive a positive change. Working through pain should not be an accepted consequence of a career in the construction industry. ProjectSafety offers a deeper solution for construction workers’ long-term health and safety, and furthers our commitment to providing innovative, safe products and tools to assure a better quality of life for future generations.”
The goal of the campaign, the company said, is for companies to adopt accountability measures to effectively execute safer installation methods, countermeasures and actions to lessen the risks on the installer and the business for an improved work environment. The measures include practices such as proper bending and lifting techniques; knowledge of what products should be used or avoided; types of tools and PPE equipment that should be worn and when; education on a variety of certification systems in regards to safety protocols; the implementation of various lightweight and curing product solutions; and how to limit exposure to harmful chemicals such as respirable crystalline silica and VOCs.
For phase one, ProjectSafety will educate construction workers and general contractors about the risks associated with respirable crystalline silica and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as best practices for back, knee, hand and eye safety in the workplace.
Phases two and three will expand with added content to Laticrete University covering health and safety best practices, training and education about products that are safer to handle and install. In phase two, Laticrete said it aims to increase awareness about potential issues that can affect construction professionals through its access to webinars, data sheets and product information through the ProjectSafety page on the company’s website.