The Build Safe Buzz: Issue #1

April 30, 2025

Welcome to Build Safe Buzz: Your Jobsite Survival Guide!

Hey Crew,

Welcome to the first-ever Build Safe Buzz, your go-to for keeping you alive on the jobsite without boring you to death. Think of this as your coffee-break read that’s part toolbox talk and part “don’t do what this guy did.”

Let’s kick it off with a story about Steve—our imaginary pal who learned safety the hard way.

Picture this: Steve’s on a roofing job, strutting around like he’s auditioning for an action movie. He skips his harness because “it’s just a quick patch” and “harnesses are for rookies.” Cue the wind gust, a slip, and Steve sliding toward the edge like he’s on a waterslide.

Lucky for him, a coworker’s quick grab saved the day—but his ego? Not so much. Don’t be Steve. Let’s dive into how to stay safe and keep your jobsite cred intact.

Safety Tip of the Week: Harness Up, No Excuses

Falling is the number-one way construction workers end up in the hospital—or worse. If you’re working at heights (6 feet or more, OSHA says), a fall protection harness isn’t optional—it’s your lifeline. Here’s the deal:

• Check your gear: Before you clip in, inspect your harness for tears or worn straps. A sketchy harness is like trusting a paper towel to hold your weight.

• Anchor smart: Tie off to something sturdy, like a beam or anchor point rated for 5,000 pounds. Not a pipe, not a random nail—c’mon, you’re better than that.

• Fit it right: Your harness should feel snug, not like a straitjacket or a baggy hoodie. Adjust those straps so you’re secure but can still move.
Pro tip: Clip in before you step up, and don’t unclip until your boots are back on solid ground. It takes 10 seconds and saves your tail.

Jobsite Fail of the Week (No Names, No Shame)

We heard about a crew who left a nail gun loaded and unattended. Next thing you know, someone bumps it, and pop— Hopefully just the drywall’s got a new “piercing.”

Lesson? Always unplug or lock out power tools when they’re not in use. Got a fail story? Hit reply and spill the tea (anonymously, of course) for our next issue’s “Crew Corner.”

Myth Buster: “I Don’t Need PPE for a Quick Job”

Myth: If you’re only up there for a minute, you can skip the hard hat, gloves, or safety glasses.

Truth: It takes one second for a tool to drop, a nail to fly, or a board to swing. PPE is like your truck’s seatbelt—you don’t skip it because the drive’s short. Wear it, every time. Bonus: You’ll look like you know what you’re doing.

Stat That Slaps

Did you know falls account for 1 in 3 construction injuries? That’s thousands of workers sidelined every year because someone thought “it won’t happen to me.” Let’s keep that stat from growing—harness up, crew!

Your Turn

What’s the sketchiest safety shortcut you’ve seen on a jobsite? Reply with your story, tip, or question, and we might feature it in our next Build Safe Buzz. Let’s keep the jobsite safe and the vibes high.

Stay safe, don’t be Steve,

-The Build Safe Buzz Crew

Kevin McCarty
Publisher, The Build Safe Buzz

Kevin’s a seasoned safety pro with over 40 years keeping jobsites safe in industrial, commercial, residential, maintenance and construction. He’s seen it all—from epic fails to lifesaving wins—now he dishes out practical, no-BS safety tips with a side of humor in Build Safe Buzz.