Kansas Construction Safety Network

09/17/2024

This morning at the City of Wichita Council Meeting, Wichita Mayor Lily Wu presented a proclamation to AGC of Kansas and our partners to recognize September as Mental Health & Drug Abuse Month.

09/08/2023

Our 2nd "Stand Up" Mental Health event with the Mayor was a success! The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about Opioid Abuse and Mental Health in construction during the National Su***de Prevention Month — the construction industry dedicates a week to raising awareness about the unique challenges workers face in construction related mental health issues. Thank you to everyone who came out and provided support.

09/07/2023

AGC of Kansas Construction Safety Network was presented with a proclamation during media day by the City of Wichita for our efforts to raise awareness about Opioid Abuse and Mental Health in construction during the National Su***de Prevention Month — the construction industry dedicates a week to raising awareness about the unique challenges workers face in construction related mental health issues.
TOMORROW is our Mental Health event taking place at 11:30am in Old Town Square Plaza in Wichita.

08/02/2023

05/03/2023

OSHA was on site at East High School yesterday where they gave a safety talk at the Safety Stand Up.

04/26/2023

The 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down is coming up, (May 1 – 5). The Kansas Construction Safety Network (KCSN) is promoting the National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction. We are asking that all construction projects conduct a Safety Stand-Down to talk directly to employees about safety. Any project can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on "Fall Hazards" and reinforcing the importance of "Fall Prevention". Employers of companies not exposed to fall hazards, can also use this opportunity to have a conversation with employees about the other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company's safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall and other job hazards they see.

Suggestions to Prepare for a Successful Stand-Down
1. Try to start early. Designate a coordinator to organize the stand-down. If you have multiple work sites, identify the team that will lead the stand-down at each site.

2. Think about asking your subcontractors, owner, architects, engineers, or others associated with your project to participate in the stand-down. Consider reviewing your fall prevention program. This will help provide a more effective stand-down.

3. You can also find additional information on our website www.ksconstructionsafetynetwork.com or by accessing the OSHA website
a. KCSN – Toolbox Talk – Skylights
b. KCSN – Toolbox Talk – Ladders
c. KCSN – Toolbox Talk – Scaffolds
d. KCSN – Toolbox Talk – General

4. Develop presentations or activities that will meet your needs. Decide what information will be best for your workplace and employees. The meeting should provide information to employees about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. Hands-on exercises (a worksite walkaround, equipment checks, etc.) can increase retention.

5. Decide when to hold the stand-down and how long it will last. Decide if the stand-down will take place over a break, a lunch period, or some other time.

6. Promote the stand-down. Try to make it interesting to employees. Some employers find that serving snacks increases participation.

7. Hold your stand-down. Try to make it positive and interactive. Let employees talk about their experiences and encourage them to make suggestions.

8. Take pictures and share with us

9. Follow up. If you learned something that could improve your fall prevention program, consider making changes.

Every year, during September, the construction industry will dedicate a week to raising awareness about the unique challenges workers face in construction that leads to su***de and what we can do to prevent it.

10/20/2022