Safety & Health

The safety and health of our members is a core value throughout the history of BAC Local 1. Our growing investment in health and safety education, technical expertise, involvement, and efforts in workplace have driven collaborative efforts with employers that have brought improvements for our members and contractors.  We strive to create a positive collaboration through our joint committees to reduce worker injuries and improve productivity.

“There is good cooperation when a company health and safety engineer and a union health and safety engineer preach the same thing.”

In the Workplace

3500 workers die per year in job-related accidents

 - 1 in 5 workers injured while operating power saws said that no training was provided.

 - 71% of 868 workers with head injuries said they had no instruction concerning hard hats

 - 61% of 554 workers hurt servicing equipment said they weren’t informed about procedures to shut off electrical components.

Building Safe and Healthy Workplaces that Promote Worker Voice

Establishing collaborative safety and health programs in workplaces is one of the most effective ways to protect workers and businesses. When management and workers collaborate to identify and solve issues before they occur, it builds trust, enhances communication, and leads to mutually beneficial improvements. Learn more about workers' rights related to safety and health.

The BAC Difference: Training

A major difference between a BAC craftworker and a non-union worker is our training. Safety is no different. During the first weeks of apprenticeship classes, our workers are OSHA 10 or 30 certified. Additional training – including asbestos training, lead abatement, and OSHA 500, 502, and 510 – is available for members, foremen, and union representatives as necessary / desired. 

Members are also taught while training in their crafts to perform the work in the safest, most ergonomically friendly way. For contractors, this leads to projects done with minimal delays due to accidents, and lower costs for insurance and violation fees. 

Are you looking to grow your knowledge, or need a refresher for your certification? Click here to find out more about what trainings are currently available through the International Masonry Training and Education Fund. 

For more safety and health related news, webinars, and resources, please visit https://bacweb.org/safety