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Study live messages across the job site, whether it’ s an evacuation alert, a safety reminder, or a weather warning.“ We use the systems for any general messaging that we have to get out to all employees,” Pabon says.“ It does things automatically that take a lot of burden off the construction site managers so they can focus on the project.”
For Choate, the biggest measurable benefit has been speed. While he doesn’ t have exact numbers, Pabon states that the evacuation time has been cut dramatically. That saving can be the difference between a safe evacuation and a tragic one. Just as important, the system keeps people out of harm’ s way during emergencies.“ Before, we’ d have two or three staff running around with air horns, clearing buildings themselves. That meant they physically had to go into a building where there’ s a clear and present danger. We don’ t have to do that anymore.”
The system’ s high-decibel sound and flashing light indicators ensure that even workers wearing headphones or those who are hearing impaired receive the alert.“ Once the alarm goes off, even for those who are hearing impaired, they know there’ s an emergency based on the flashing of the light and visual indicators,” Pabon says.
Positive feedback across the board
Visitors and inspectors are frequently impressed.“ A lot of people have noticed the systems, especially the ones that are caught off guard by them,” Pabon notes.“ Usually, it’ s visitors. They’ ll hear us shut down the job site or give a message and say,‘ Wow, this is something we don’ t see very often.’ We’ ve even had the fire department comment on the fact that this is such a useful tool.”
Tactical rescue teams that tour Choate’ s sites have echoed that sentiment.“ They’ d love to see this on every single job,” Pabon says.“ That way, when they’ re risking their
▲ Wireless Emergency Notification Systems from Safety Systems Management have created a new safety standard for Choate Construction
lives entering a building that could be on fire or experiencing another emergency, they don’ t have to go in looking for people; they can go straight to assessing the danger.”
For Choate Construction, implementing SSM’ s wireless emergency alert systems has done more than replace air horns; it’ s created a new safety standard that protects workers, saves time, and gives project teams peace of mind.“ It’ s proactive, simple, and effective,” Pabon concludes.“ When seconds count, you want a safety system you can depend on. For us, this is it.” ■
www. safetysystemsmanagement. com
Safety Systems Management offers safety systems to companies looking to keep themselves and their employees safe, specializing in wireless emergency notification systems. SSM has developed a mobile platform for the use of its wireless emergency notification and communication system. The company’ s construction site safety consulting provides a valuable resource and tool for the future of its customers and the safety of their employees.
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