Feng shui on the jobsite

Words: Jennifer MorrellRemember that neighbor you had as a kid with the messy house? Our mothers would compare our messy rooms to those messy neighbors’ homes, since that messy family had set the bar for clutter and disarray. My fiancé’s messy neighbors were “The Hammers.” His late mother used to describe anything messy as being “as bad as The Hammers’ house.”

Today in our family, The Hammers’ house is a metaphor for anything messy, chaotic or all-around destroyed. Sometimes I compare my daughter’s playroom to The Hammers’ house, even though I never actually saw The Hammers’ house when it was in its prime states of messiness — the 1970s. If a bad storm comes through, it leaves destruction “as bad as The Hammers’ house.” Even a crazy event or situation can be “Hammers-like.”

This brings me to the differences between an orderly and organized jobsite, where mason contractors and their employees follow all the rules and regulations they’re supposed to and wear all of the PPE they should, and just the opposite: The Hammers’ jobsite. Improper scaffold setup, a missing hardhat here, materials scattered there — all of these violations are just awaiting that shiny, new fine from OSHA.

The September issue of Masonry addresses many aspects of the jobsite. In “Staying Safe on the Jobsite,” we examine the most common jobsite safety hazards and even consult directly with OSHA as to what they look for on their (sometimes surprise) visits to your site.
About: Featured
 0
2024 Architectural Awards: Excellence In Masonry Winners

The Masonry Advisory Council held the 2024 Excellence in Masonry Awards on Saturday, October 26th at 167 Green St., Chicago, Illinois. Honoring 80 projects from over the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Area. The Awards program celebrates outstanding ar

By: Ashley Kelly
Read More
NSI and ISFA Announce Silica Exposure Literature Review

NSI and ISFA are proud to present a literature review that summarizes the growing library of studies related to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure. Completed by Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the study covers 34 publications and d

By: Amy Oakley
Read More
La Maison Franchère: How Masonry Turns Functional Buildings Into Timeless Beauty

La Maison Franchère, or the Franchers’ House, stands as a notable relic of stone architecture in Saint-Mathies, a small Quebec town on the edge of the Richelieu River. Unlike the neighboring homes, this towering, two-and-a-half-story mansion immediately c

By: Vera Autushka
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast Episode 5 Recap: Zach Everett

Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Masonry Strong podcast! Today, we have a very special guest, Zach Everett, sharing his journey and experiences in the world of safety within the masonry industry. From humble beginnings to becoming a vital

By: Justin Stengel
About: Featured
Read More