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Safety Posts
Walking-working surfaces: The everyday hazards that put crews at risk
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Across all industries, slips, trips and falls are a leading cause of injury. In outdoor construction and maintenance, the risk increases exponentially. On any outdoor jobsite — whether you’re building a patio, running electrical lines, maintaining irrigation, installing tile or servicing a pool — workers spend ...
Staying grounded: Safe material handling for tile and stone work
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. In tile and stone work, safety and craftsmanship are inseparable — and both begin with staying grounded. Walk onto any tile or hardscape job, and you’ll see craftsmanship in motion — crews lifting heavy stone, moving pallets of pavers or setting large-format tiles with precision. ...
The hidden strain
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Preventing back and knee injuries in hardscape work. Hardscape work demands skill, strength and precision. Every day, crews lift stone, carry pavers, kneel on rigid surfaces and maneuver awkward loads into place. It’s some of the most physically demanding work in the outdoor living industry — ...
Electrical awareness for maintenance technicians
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. When maintenance technicians operate with consistent awareness, they protect not only themselves but also every person who relies on the systems they maintain. If there’s one area of maintenance work that demands absolute respect, it’s electricity. Technicians work around it every day — replacing lighting, ...
Housekeeping on the jobsite: The foundation of every safe work environment
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Safety, productivity and craftsmanship all begin with a well-kept work environment. In every outdoor trade — whether you're laying pavers, installing lighting, building outdoor kitchens, maintaining sports surfaces, landscaping or servicing pool equipment — the quality of the jobsite starts with a straightforwardpractice: housekeeping. It’s ...
Hazard awareness: Building a worker’s ability to see problems before they happen
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Awareness isn’t luck. It’s discipline. And in every outdoor trade, it’s what keeps workers whole and projects moving. In every outdoor trade — tile and hardscaping, landscaping, pool and spa, lighting, sports surfaces, agronomics, maintenance and outdoor living builds — there’s one skill that separates safe ...
Fall hazards in everyday repairs
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. When crews stay alert and respect the hazards that hide in daily work, they reduce injuries, build trust and keep operations moving safely. When most people think of fall hazards, they picture roofs, scaffolds — elevated platforms. But for maintenance technicians, the most dangerous fall risks ...
Dust isn’t just dirt: Controlling silica exposure in the field
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Better control, better practices and better awareness are the foundation of a healthier, more productive workforce. Anyone who has ever cut tile, pavers or stone knows the familiar cloud that rises the moment the blade hits the material. To the untrained eye, it looks like ...
Worn tires, real risks: Why contractors can't afford to ignore tire safety
By Cotney Consulting Group. The best way to protect your team on the job is to ensure they get there safely in the first place. In the contracting industry, job site safety usually brings fall protection, PPE or ladder safety to mind. But what about the drive to the site? For ...
An emergency readiness guide for roofing teams
By Cotney Consulting Group. A well-thought-out action plan, with proper training and clear communication, can significantly reduce the impact of emergencies. Emergencies are an unavoidable part of any job site, especially in roofing. While it's impossible to eliminate all risks, having a well-developed emergency action plan and properly trained workers can significantly ...
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