Jobsite Safety and Workmanship

The care and skill that you and your crew use on the jobsite can
positively affect the outcome of the job as well as the reputation
and profitability of your company. The National Association of
Home Builders (NAHB) has assembled a set of suggestions for
jobsite safety and care. This chapter highlights some of those
recommendations.
Tools
One of the most important things you can do to make the job go
smoothly is to make sure that all tools are in good shape and
everyone understands how to use them properly.
• Maintain all hand tools and equipment in a safe condition and
check regularly for defects. Do not use broken or damaged
tools.
• Use double insulated tools or ensure that all tools are
grounded. Protect all temporary power with ground fault
circuit interrupters (GFCI). Plug into GFCI-protected
generators or use GFCI extension cords.
• Equip all power saws with blade guards and turn them off
when they are not in use.
• Before you or your crew use pneumatic or power-actuated
tools, make sure everyone has been trained and checked out
on their proper use.
• Wear proper eye protection, especially when using
power tools.
• Never leave cartridges for pneumatic or power-activated tools
unattended. Keep equipment in a safe place, and store it
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Scaffolding
The proper use of scaffolding is particularly important to siding
installers.
• Ensure that all scaffolding is erected on stable footing or
mud sills.
• Don’t take shortcuts—install all guardrails and cross bracing
and complete the planking across the entire scaffold.
• On fabricated frame scaffolding, there must be ladder access.
• Pump jack scaffolding must be erected with guardrails
and roof connectors.
• No more than 2 workers (500 pounds) can work on pump
jack scaffolding at a time.
• Use safety harnesses to prevent serious falls.
Ladders
Ladders should be well maintained and used only as they were
intended.
• Regularly inspect all manufactured and job-made ladders to
verify that they are in good condition and free of defects.
• Before you climb a ladder, make sure it is stable and level.
• Secure ladders at the top to keep them from slipping and
causing falls.
• Extend ladders 3 feet above the landing to provide a handhold
for balance when getting on or off the ladder.
• Locate and identify overhead electrical lines. Make sure
ladders and scaffolds never come within 10 feet of electrical
power lines.
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CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Master Craftsman Education & Development Program
8. Jobsite Safety and Workmanship
Objectives
This chapter contains recommendations for working safely
and maintaining a professional jobsite.
• Tools
• Scaffolding
• Ladders
• Personal protective equipment
• Housekeeping
• Professionalism
• Use ladders only for what they were made—not as platforms,
runways, or scaffold planks.
• Please refer to www.osha.gov for more information on the
proper use and maintenance of ladders.
Personal Protective Equipment
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
requires that workers wear applicable personal protective
equipment.
• Falling debris is a hazard when installing siding and
accessories. All workers and visitors should wear hard hats
while they are on the jobsite.
• When cutting or nailing siding and accessories, always wear
safety glasses or face shields.
• Wear sturdy shoes or boots. They keep toes from being
crushed and help prevent protruding nails from penetrating
shoes.
Housekeeping
Most remodeling applications involve working around families
and neighborhoods. For this reason, it is particularly important
to keep the area clean at all times.
• Keep all walkways and stairways clear of trash and debris.
• Use and store tools and supplies away from walkways
and doors.
• Scrap lumber and siding, boxes, and other discarded material
are tripping hazards. Throw them in a dumpster or other
trash receptacle.
• Exercise care around shrubs and flower beds. Some minor
damage to the landscaping is unavoidable, but be prepared to
replace shrubs that are accidentally crushed or broken.
Professionalism
Remodelers rarely have the luxury of working alone. Your
jobsite is often in the heart of a busy neighborhood, where your
customers, their families, and their neighbors can watch you
work. For this reason, it is particularly important that you and
your crew look and act professionally.
• Wear appropriate clothing. Avoid work clothes that are
excessively worn and tee-shirts with inappropriate graphics.
• Watch your language—the fact that you don’t see anyone but
your co-workers is no guarantee that others can’t hear you.
• Pick up cigarette butts, drink containers, and other trash that
accumulates during the day.
• Keep the homeowner informed of your progress. Show up on
time. If you run into unexpected delays or are unavoidably
called from the jobsite, let the homeowner know when you
will return to complete the job.
• Follow-up. A simple phone call or visit with the homeowner
when the job is complete is an opportunity to answer minor
questions and avoid unnecessary call backs.
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CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Master Craftsman Education & Development Program
Summary
• Keep all tools well maintained, and use the appropriate
tool for the job.
• Before using power tools, read and follow the
manufacturer’s instructions. All power tools should
be grounded.
• Falls can be deadly. Install scaffolding correctly and
completely. All guardrails, cross bracing, roof connectors,
and planking must be securely attached. Ladders should be
stable and level and secured at the top. Harnesses help
prevent serious injury from falls.
• Workers should wear the appropriate personal protective
equipment, including hard hats and sturdy shoes or boots.
• Keep the area clean. To minimize tripping hazards, pick
up tools, supplies, and trash and keep walkways and
steps clear.
• You represent your company and its workmanship.
Dressing and acting like a professional is a reflection
of you and your work.