Getting everyone home safe

OCS Influencer Taylor Dahlquist says a job might be important, but his team going home to their loved ones comes first.

Safety is the most important topic for me. I tell my team, "This job might be important, but you going home to your loved ones is far more important." 

I'll start with jobsite safety. With the grueling heat and humidity we've been having in the Northeast, hydration probably tops the list for jobsite safety for my company this year. Hydration starts the night before. I strongly encourage my team to make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids — not just the morning of work or throughout the workday, but especially at home the night before. The heat and humidity have been relentless this year. I make sure all of my trucks have coolers stocked with not just water, but also Gatorade and electrolyte drinks. 

Not only is dehydration dangerous and potentially deadly for each team member, but it also increases the potential for jobsite accidents. In the pool and hardscape industry, we often use machines, from excavators and compact loaders to saws and wood chippers. A brain that is even slightly dehydrated doesn't function as efficiently. The cost of a mistake while operating one of these machines can be life-changing. Even paying slightly less attention on a pool build without machinery can have severe consequences, from falling into trenches and excavated holes to falling onto rebar or concrete stakes. I constantly reinforce the importance of staying hydrated. 

Along with emphasizing hydration, I make sure my team takes breaks in the shade to cool down. I follow the same rule with my family when we're enjoying our pool in the summer heat. Swimming is physically demanding on its own. Combine that with direct sun and high temperatures, and it can become a recipe for disaster if it's not monitored properly. Plenty of water and regular breaks are non-negotiable rules for me, both while building and while enjoying swimming pools. 

Next on my company's safety list is visibility — not just for team members, but also for potential hazards around the jobsite. This includes fencing around jobsites to keep passersby from accidentally falling into holes or trenches and highlighting trip or puncture hazards with caution tape or high-visibility marking paint. 

The easiest way to create a safe jobsite is by keeping it clean. This can and should be done all day, every day. Remove or neatly stack scrap pieces of lumber and rebar, and keep clear walking paths throughout the jobsite. These are simple, effective ways to improve safety. We often carry and move heavy materials, whether it's pavers, lumber, blocks or rebar. Tripping while carrying these materials is a serious hazard that can easily be reduced by maintaining a clean, organized jobsite.