Jim Thompson

The obvious answers are, of course, moisture meters, water extraction equipment, dehumidifiers, etc. However, I feel the most important tools are the management safety tools, starting with job site hazard analysis (JHA).

Very few restoration companies actually use the JHA as a tool when beginning a job site. First of all, it is required by law in the U.S. More importantly, it helps your employees stay safe and go home uninjured, with all of their parts attached.

If the insured client observes the restoration company taking the time to actually create a JHA, there is a better chance of the restoration company creating a great initial impression and thus signing up the job. The opposite is just as true. If an insured sees a bunch of restoration employees being dangerous and not paying attention to safety, the restoration company might not last the day on the job.

As a tool, the JHA can help close the job, follow the law, create an excellent first impression and most important of all, keep the crewmembers safe.

• 1910.132(d): Hazard assessment and equipment selection.

• 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:
  • 1910.132(d)(1)(i): Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;
  • 1910.132(d)(1)(ii): Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and,
  • 1910.132(d)(1)(iii): Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.

Note: Non-mandatory appendix B contains an example of procedures that would comply with the requirement for a hazard assessment.

• 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.

As a follow-up to question one, I would like to see all restoration companies start the jobs by conducting a JHA, and update it frequently as the dangers of the job change. Nothing is more important than getting the job done and paid, except that no one gets hurt or killed on the job.

I know of two major, nationwide disaster restoration companies that were put out of business over safety/OSHA issues. No job is worth losing a life or your company!