Simplifying your toolbox talks

What you need to know

Water damage has emerged as a major cause of loss on construction sites. Approximately 30% of all losses on a construction site are water related.1 It is critical that contractors have pre-planned on how to respond to these losses to mitigate the severity of damage. If a water emergency occurred on the jobsite today, would you have the tools and know your role in helping to mitigate water damage?

What to do to prepare for a jobsite water emergency:

  • Discuss water response roles and critical mitigation equipment with employees.
  • Map locations of all water shutoffs and train employees as to their locations.
  • Designate employees to respond and discuss their role in water emergencies.
  • Quiz employees as to their role in a water emergency and provide sample scenarios.
  • Verify contact information for employees designated to respond to after hour water emergencies.
  • Discuss where water mitigation equipment is located, such as: wet vacs, submersible pumps, generators, squeegees, sprinkler shut off tool, absorbent pads, trash cans or other collection devices, etc.
  • Train employees on how to use water mitigation equipment.

Why it matters

Every second counts when it comes to an accidental release of water. Knowing where shutoffs are located, being trained on how to respond, and maintaining adequate equipment are critical keys to minimizing the amount of damage during a water emergency. Take your training and response planning to the next level by creating a formal water damage response plan on the template located in the link below.

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[1] “Construction market hammered by rising fire, water damage claims,” Business Insider (June 2019). https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20190604/NEWS06/912328845/Construction-market-hammered-by-rising-fire,-water-damage-claims

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