Ways Human Behavior Can Lead to Construction Accidents
Human Behaviors in Construction We don't "do" safety because it's regulatory; we do it because we care for our people. We don't want anyone to get hurt. Safety is not just for compliance or because OSHA says to
Navigating Active and Passive Fall Protection Systems in Construction
When it comes to safeguarding workers from falls in construction, choosing the right fall protection system can mean the difference between life and death. As safety professionals, we describe safety systems as either “active” or “passive” to identify the
3 Common Barrier Fencing Mistakes
Barrier Fencing Mistakes Despite best efforts, common mistakes in barrier fencing can lead to costly damages, safety hazards, and logistical headaches. Let's explore three prevalent barrier fencing mistakes and how the Hilmerson Barrier Fence System™ provides innovative solutions to
Expanding Your Construction Equipment Rental Fleet: Join Us at the 2024 ARA Show!
Calling All Construction Equipment Rental Companies! Are you ready to take your business to the next level? We've got an exciting opportunity for you to expand your rental fleet and boost your company's revenue stream. At Hilmerson, we recognize
Mobile Cart vs Rack – Hilmerson Safety Rail System™
When it comes to guardrail system logistics and efficiency, two options from Hilmerson stand out: The Safety Rail Mobile Cart & Kit and The Safety Rail Rack & Kit. Each is designed with specific features to cater to different
The Best Safety Rail for Roof Fall Protection
Roof fall protection is crucial for a range of reasons from protecting construction workers from falling over leading edges, to long-term protection for any person who gets access to the roof, or even for protecting skylights that could be
Outlet Blank Cover For Construction
Electrical hazards are common on construction sites and pose a significant risk, so it's important to take safety measures that protect workers and comply with OSHA regulations. That is why your construction site needs the Current Cover™ Blank Plate
Modular Barrier Fence System Offers Construction-Grade™ Versatility and Security
Looking for the latest innovation in barrier fencing? Does your existing barrier fence system damage easily or leave gaps for outsider access points or footholds? Is it difficult to handle and transport? Are fencing attachments damaging your barriers? High-rise
OSHA Guardrail Requirements Broken Down
Recognizing potential fall risks is just one way of maintaining a safe workplace, and it's crucial to understand the OSHA guardrail requirements to guarantee compliance on your job site. When choosing a guardrail system for your job, it’s
Scholarship Auction Benefits Women Entering the Construction Industry
Looking for a fun way to purchase gifts for an important cause? Support Women entering the construction industry by participating in the NAWIC Scholarship Auction today thru Saturday night, December 2. NAWIC's recent focus has been to encourage women
High-Rise and Roofing Construction Workers: 3 Ways to Eliminate Risk at Height
The construction industry is massive employing 8 million workers that build $2.1 trillion in structures annually.* However, the reward comes with risk. In 2021 there were 1,015 construction job related deaths with falls being the leading cause.* As an
Made In America.
Progress, Innovation, Durability, Simplicity, Made in America... This is the backbone of Hilmerson’s product portfolio. At Hilmerson Safety, we take pride in being Made in America. Our President & CEO, Deb Hilmerson, sets the tone for our approach:
“Sustaining” 5S Methodology in Construction
Sustaining Excellence Implementing the 5S Method's Sustain Step on Job Sites Is your construction site getting bogged down by lack of safety, efficiency, and organization? The 5S method's "Sustain" step emphasizes the importance of sustaining processes that work
How to Apply the 5S “Standardize” Method on Job Sites
Create and Maintain Standardized Processes on Your Job-Sites. The "Standardize" 5S Lean Approach Efficiency and organization are key factors in delivering successful construction projects. The 5S method, a renowned approach to workplace organization, provides valuable insights into achieving
Construction Barrier Fence Protects Xcel Energy Street Project
Q3 Contracting, a Primoris Company, is taking charge of traffic control as Xcel Energy embarks on manhole and duct line projects at the busy intersection of Robert and 5th in downtown St. Paul, MN. Given the high volume of
How to Apply the 5S “Shine” Method on Job Sites
Maintain Cleanliness and Organization on Job-Sites The "Shine" 5S Lean Approach On your construction site, safety should always be a top priority. One method that has gained recognition for enhancing safety in construction is the 5S method. In
How to Apply the 5S “Setting” Method on Job Sites
Eliminate Obstacles and Hazards The "Setting" 5S Lean Approach Whether you are an architect, engineer, general contractor, or trade contractor adopting a lean approach can reduce waste and optimize productivity and ultimately improve operational results. But, you need
How to Apply the 5S “Sorting” Method on Job Sites
Reduce Waste and Optimize Productivity The Sorting 5S Lean Approach Successful contractors are constantly evaluating how they perform work to identify cost-saving measures. Yet, 70% of construction projects are over budget and delivered late*. How is your bottom
Pretred Showcases Barriers From Recycled Tires With Hilmerson Barrier Fencing
Sustainable Construction Barriers Made from Recycled Tires Pretred is an environmentally responsible company committed to inspiring sustainable development. They are “building a better way” by creating inventive solutions that utilize our waste streams that typically end in landfill and
Hilmerson Barrier Fence System™ Available thru Empire Tool Rental of New York, New Jersey & Connecticut
Hilmerson Safety® is excited to announce a new partnership with Empire Tool Rental. Empire Tool Rental will provide rental and installation services for the Hilmerson Barrier Fence System™ in the New York Tri-State area including New Jersey, Connecticut,
Increased Security Needs Push Demand for Crowd Control Barriers on Construction Sites
Challenged with securing a temporary safety perimeter for crowd control on construction sites? Crowd control barriers need to be robust enough to protect your people and your assets. It’s not enough to just put up a barrier.
Need to purchase concrete barriers that compliment our Hilmerson Barrier Fence System™?
Hilmerson's Preferred Concrete Barrier Provider Hilmerson has been referring customers to 48 Barriers for several years and they have become our preferred provider of concrete barriers. "We mostly appreciate their responsiveness," says Deb Hilmerson. "They have a great logistics
Safety Rail Systems: Get Faster and Error-Free Installs
Purchasing a Safety Rail System? - Here's 5 Features That Save Labor Time & Reduce Risk Safety people understand the need to "keep it simple". We don't want to see complicated systems on the job with lengthy installation instructions.
Risk Assessment on Construction Sites
A practical approach to risk assessment is at the beginning of your work day asking yourself the following questions: What is the task you’ll be performing? What are the hazards associated with that task? Can you eliminate the hazards?
How To Prevent Electrocution In Construction
Electrocution continues to be the 4th leading cause of death among construction workers The reality is, most workers are unaware of many of the potential electrical hazards on the jobsite or disregard known hazards because following safety protocol is
Preventing Struck-By Injury on Construction Sites
Struck-by incidents are the 2nd leading cause of death among construction workers, and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the construction industry.[1] This week is National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents and a perfect opportunity for
Gearing Up for Women in Construction Week 2023
At Hilmerson we are gearing up for the 25th annual Women in Construction (WIC) Week. Many Paths, One Mission This year's theme, 'Many Paths, One Mission', celebrates the different journeys women have taken toward the same goal: strengthening
Stand Alone Fence For Construction: Traditional Perimeter Fencing vs Reusable Heavy-Duty Fencing
Most of us in the construction industry have used the same style perimeter fencing for years and have come to expect it as the norm. Cheap, bending, falling over, messy sandbags. Have you ever wondered, "why do I keep
Working From Height: 3 Ways to Engineer Out the Hazard
The Danger of Working From Heights For contractors, providing a workplace free of danger while working at height is a big responsibility, especially since we know falls continue to be construction’s leading cause of death. OSHA requires fall protection
How Are You Taking Better Care of Our Planet?
Commercial Construction Industry Embracing Sustainability I’ve long believed it’s our responsibility to protect our planet. It is exciting to see the commercial construction industry’s willingness to embrace sustainability, often through LEED-certified projects. Hilmerson Safety® is proud to have deployed
How Green Is Your Dumpster?
Back when I visited construction job sites around the country as a safety consultant, it drove me crazy to see 2 x 4s used for safety guardrails, then tossed into landfills. That’s our environment going to waste! While most
Hilmerson Safety Is Granted a U.S. Patent For Its Multi-Use Stair/Slab Grabber
The company’s expanding portfolio of construction safety products is transforming how industry leaders do business Stair/Slab Grabber Hilmerson Safety is once again proving there are better ways to keep job sites safe, by announcing it has been
Deb Hilmerson Participates in “Red Wing Shoes: For Work That Moves The World”
Thanks Red Wing Shoe Co. for helping to keep worker safety in the forefront and for inviting Debra Hilmerson to participate in "For Work That Moves The World". Read the feature article: Deb Hilmerson: A Life's Work in Elevating Worker Safety
Ways Contractors Can Improve Construction Site Security with Quality Stand-Alone Fencing
Are you a contractor looking for ways to improve construction site security while reducing your company liabilities? Maybe you’ve had equipment stolen or suspect trespassers have accessed your site overnight. Or maybe you’re over-focused on production and have lost
Hilmerson Safety® Patents Guardrail Storage Platform
Improving the Efficiency of Leading-Edge Safety Methods in Construction Mobile Guardrail Cart Patent The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Hilmerson Safety® U.S. Patent D959,085 S for its guardrail storage platform, the foundational mechanism of the Hilmerson
Deb Hilmerson Featured in Fence News Article
President and CEO, Deb Hilmerson, was featured in the July 2022 issue of Fence News USA. In this article, Deb talks about how she found her passion for construction safety, being a woman in the industry, and more. Check
Fall Protection Guardrails – 7 Ways to Prevent Injury and Reduce Risk
The challenge for all contractors is to maintain a reasonable balance between productivity, quality and safety to ensure injury-free work zones. We know when more value is put on schedule and budget with greater emphasis on production, injuries are
Safety Guardrails for Construction – 4 Factors to Consider Before You Buy
Light gauge safety guardrails are the old standard for construction fall protection. Particularly, the yellow-painted guardrail is often specified in projects. As safety professionals what we’ve learned during inspections over the years is light gauge painted rails are only
New Modular Guardrail System Offers Construction-Grade™ Versatility
Got Fall Hazards? Find Yourself Needing Different Safety Rail Attachment Options to Protect Workers on Your Construction Sites? Leading edges, elevator shafts, excavations, trenches, parapet walls, retaining walls, roofs and access areas all pose different challenges. Or, are you
Should You Ride Out Fluctuating Lumber Prices?
Lumber price volatility may be impacting more than your P&L statement. As Debra Hilmerson writes in this Construction Executive article, higher costs are also indirectly tied to jobsite safety and the skilled labor shortage. This time, change is mandatory.
Family Handyman spotlights Deb Hilmerson
The Eleven Percent: Meet Debra Hilmerson, Jobsite Safety Pro A 30-plus year construction industry veteran, Debra Hilmerson actively encourages women to consider careers in the trades, and often mentors upcoming construction safety industry leaders and entrepreneurs. So, she was
2022 Trailblazers – Celebrating Women in Construction
Each year, Hilmerson Safety® celebrates women in the construction industry during Women in Construction (WIC) Week™ by sharing their stories. How did they start? Who mentored them? What were challenges they overcame? What would they do differently? What
Lumber Prices Once Again Trending Higher
After dropping last fall, lumber prices are once again trending higher. Deb Hilmerson’s article in Construct America Magazine reveals strategies that will help protect your business against fluctuating lumber prices as well as material and labor shortages. “If you’re
Steel Guardrails: Powder-Coated vs Hot Dipped Galvanized
Approximately 25 years ago, OSHA instituted the Subpart M Fall Protection Standard for construction workplaces implementing protection from falling objects, falls from tripping over holes, falling through holes, and protection while working around dangerous equipment. Employers were instructed to
Hilmerson Safety® Empowers Women Entering the Construction Field, You Can Too!
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is dedicated to enhancing the success of women in the construction industry by building educations, careers, futures and lives ... and so is Hilmerson Safety®! Hilmerson Safety sponsors the NAWIC Annual
New! Hilmerson Safety® Parapet Wall Mount Clamp
Parapet Wall Mount Clamp The Hilmerson Safety® Parapet Wall Mount Clamp is another anchorage accessory for the Hilmerson Safety Rail System™. Looking for a safer attachment solution for guardrails on rooftops, parapet walls, retaining
Safeguard the Bottom Line as Lumber Prices Rise
Ridiculously high lumber prices and untrained skilled workers can be a direct hit to your bottom line. In this article for Construction Executive, Deb Hilmerson commented on these financial and safety obstacles, and offered her experienced insights so you
Hilmerson Safety® Partners With One Tree Planted, Plants 5,258 Trees
The idea is simple but powerful. Every 10’ guardrail panel sold equals one tree planted. Since our product launched in 2018, the Hilmerson Safety Rail System™ has replaced over 360,000 linear feet of 2x4 lumber on construction sites around the
Hilmerson Barrier Fence System™ Featured in Fence News USA
Hilmerson Safety® was featured in the July 2021 issue of Fence News USA. Check out the article "Protecting the Largest Infrastructure Project in Kansas City History" to learn more about the project and the Hilmerson Barrier Fence System™. Read
Hilmerson Safety Rail System™ Recognized for Reducing & Eliminating Construction Hazards With Safety Innovation Award
The construction industry continues to evolve with heightened awareness of safety hazards and a push towards safer work environments and practices. The challenge for all contractors is to maintain a reasonable balance of productivity, quality and safety to ensure
The Million-Dollar Question for Construction Execs
If you’ve ever had an on-the-job fatality, it’s not something you’ll ever want to experience again. Yet, while we keep pushing the boundaries on elaborate, multi-million dollar structures, the construction industry isn’t making much progress in stopping serious injuries
Which Fatal Four are you Willing to Risk?
Fatal Four Hazards in Construction Would you rather free fall from a high elevation, get crushed, get electrocuted or struck by a falling tool? In this Construction Executive article, Hilmerson President and CEO Deb Hilmerson shares her frustration that
Hilmerson Safety® Case Study: Mortenson Helps Usher in a New Era of Fall Protection
Deb Hilmerson is a 30+ year construction industry veteran. As a respected safety consultant, Hilmerson routinely encountered safety guardrail issues and frustrated contractors. She spent 2-½ years talking with industry-leading contractors, foremen and tradespeople to determine what would keep
Finance & Commerce Interviews Deb Hilmerson
This is how construction industry safety innovation happens What does college basketball have to do with construction site safety? As President/CEO Deb Hilmerson entered her 30th year in the construction industry, she sat down with Finance & Commerce reporter
New! Hilmerson Safety® Guardrail Wall Mount Plate
Guardrail Wall Mount Plate The Hilmerson Safety® Guardrail Wall Mount Plate is new accessory that allows for an additional anchorage option. Can’t or don’t want to mount to the top of your concrete surface? No
Hilmerson Safety® Wins U.S. Patent Coverage For Its Peel And Stick Current Cover™: An Outlet Cover With Shock-Blocking Technology
Simple Outlet Cover Innovation Allows Construction Workers to Work Safely Around Exposed, Energized Outlets & Switches There's a new outlet cover in town! The United States Patent & Trademark Office issued the patent on March 9th as USD912629 entitled
Deb Hilmerson Named “Industry Veteran – 2021 Construction Champion” by Construction Dive
Women continue to make the construction industry a more diverse workplace while shaping its practices and culture with a new and different perspective. Construction Dive recognizes the industry's top female leaders with the 2021 Construction Champions awards. "In 2021, women
Hard Hats & Crafts – Celebrating Women Leaders in Construction Safety
Defying stereotypes is nothing new for these women leaders in construction. Since the 90’s and early 2000’s they’ve paved new paths for women pursuing careers in construction safety. How did they start? Who mentored them? What were challenges they
NEW! Multi-Use Patented Stair / Slab Grabber Clamps & Swivels Up To 50 Degrees
Stair / Slab Grabber The Hilmerson Safety® patented Stair / Slab Grabber solution is perfect for installing leading edge fall protection on concrete slabs and for securing handrails on stairs. This specially designed Stair
Hilmerson Safety® Celebrates 20 Years Challenging the Status Quo of Construction Safety
Since day one, we have believed in challenging the status quo of construction safety practices. Our experience working with contractors and tradesmen and women in the capacity of safety consulting over the first 17 years in business was the
Hilmerson Safety® Awarded Fourth U.S. Patent for Revolutionary Guardrail System
Innovation Designed for Rapid and Simple Guardrail Installation Protects Workers on Job Sites While Saving Contractors Time & Money Hilmerson Safety® begins 2021 with a big win, earning the 4th patent on its revolutionary construction safety rail solution. The
How Small Construction Businesses Are Overcoming The Impacted Economy
With the recent economic instability across most industries, The Contractors Compass, the official educational journal of the American Subcontractors Association, asked small construction businesses across America for their best survival tactics. In the article The Keys to Survival for
Construction Executive Asks Us to Share our Lean Construction Advice
Running a lean construction business can help you gain several competitive advantages. Construction Executive magazine invited lean construction industry vendor Deb Hilmerson to share her advice on eliminating, or at least minimizing, the eight most common areas of waste
Three Ways to Curb the Rise of Non-Fatal Construction Injuries
OSHA reports that non-fatal construction injuries are on the rise. Even if you have a relatively clean safety record, it is prudent to consider using better, safer and more efficient options as they become available. As Hilmerson President
Hilmerson Safety® Awarded Second and Third U.S. Patents for Revolutionary Guardrail System
Innovation Secures Workers on Job Sites, Saves Contractors Time & Money, and Reduces Guardrail Labor and Lumber Waste Hilmerson Safety® turns a hat-trick at US Patent and Trademark Office with award of its second and third U.S. Patents for its
Why Every Commercial Contractor Should Be Using Reusable Safety Systems
“Reusable safety systems don’t fall into the ‘nice if you can afford it’ column. They actually save money by reducing costs and inefficiencies, as well as providing additional revenue streams,” wrote Hilmerson Safety® President and CEO Deb Hilmerson. In
Lean Safety on the Jobsite
Lean Safety is the all-important plank of the 6S System. What is 6S? As an equation: 6S = 5S + Safety. President & CEO of Hilmerson Safety®, Debra Hilmerson, explains the direct correlation of eliminating the 8 Wastes with improved
Hilmerson Asks Readers: Would Your Jobsite Pass a Safety Inspection?
Construction inspections comprise 60% of OSHA’s total inspections. Our non-fatal injury rates are 71% higher than other industries. For this article "Do's & Don'ts from the Field: Would Your Jobsite Pass a Safety Inspection?" in Construction Superintendent, Deb Hilmerson stressed
Construction Trade Gets Our Perspective on Next-generation Safety Innovation
When you are a trailblazer in your industry, your peers take notice. Debra Hilmerson was honored when Modern Contractor Solutions asked her to write this article about some of the safety equipment trends that she’s helping to fuel and guide.
Debra Hilmerson Reflects on Her Career in this NAWIC Article
When the National Association of Women in Construction invited Debra Hilmerson to write an article for its September / October 2020 issue (page 43/44), she knew she wanted to inspire readers to also become trailblazers and achieve their career goals.
Hilmerson Safety® Awarded MN Company to Watch by Finance & Commerce
Women make an impact across Minnesota’s construction industry on job sites and behind the scenes. Finance & Commerce recognizes these construction leaders at the inaugural Top Women in Construction awards. “We report on the construction industry every day,” said Finance &
Deb Hilmerson Featured in Star Tribune: “Hilmerson, a Minnesota safety innovator, invents a better way to protect construction sites”
Article by Neal St. Anthoy, Photo by Glen Stubbe Star Tribune, July 26, 2020 Star Tribune feature credits Deb Hilmerson for giving industry safer options Deb Hilmerson built Hilmerson Safety® with the idea that investing in safety and sustainability
Hilmerson Barrier Fence System™ Available thru Warning Lites of MN Rental Product Line in the Midwest
Hilmerson Safety® is excited to announce a new partnership with Warning Lites of Minnesota, a work zone safety, traffic and event equipment solution provider established in 1954. Warning Lites will provide rental and installation services for the Hilmerson Barrier
Fall Protection: Rethinking “Safety in a Bucket” Mentality
Are you handing your workers a bucket of bull$#!^? When I started in construction setting precast concrete, I was given a safety belt and a 6' lanyard to safeguard me when working from heights. I would
Hilmerson Safety® Patents Side Saddle Bracket™
Innovation Secures Critical Perimeter Control & Efficiency for High-Profile Construction Sites The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Hilmerson Safety™ U.S. Patent D885,868 for its barrier fence saddle mounting bracket, also known as the Side Saddle Bracket™. Granted on June 2, 2020,
The Evolution of Leading-Edge Safety & Fall Protection
Leading Edge Safety: Why Industry Leading General Contractors Are Turning Away From Job-Built Wooden Guardrails As the carpenter foreman completes his daily inspection of the wooden guardrail system, he notices a section where the toeboard is missing. A little
Hilmerson Safety® Patents Mobile Guardrail Kit
Challenging the Status Quo of Leading-Edge Safety Methods in Construction The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Hilmerson Safety® U.S. Patent 10,597,057 for its safety rail cart system, also known as the Hilmerson Safety Rail System™ kit. Granted on
Who is Deb Hilmerson, and why did she decide “this is how we do it” isn’t good enough?
Changing a mindset takes a mountain of grit, something that describes Deb Hilmerson perfectly—from her hard hat to her steel toe boots. Her 30 years in construction as a field laborer, Safety Director and Consultant at companies like 3M Worldwide
Hilmerson Safety® Featured in Professional Safety Journal: “Lean to the Rescue”
Hilmerson Safety® was featured in the September 2019 Professional Safety Journal. Check out Dan Hannan's article "Lean To The Rescue" about how utilizing lean principles can save an organization money while reducing risk. Read Full Article at Professional Safety
Hilmerson Safety® featured in For Construction Pros: “Engineered Guardrail System Improves Safety and Profitability”
Learn how the Hilmerson Safety® designed an engineered system to help contractors reduce waste, improve safety and increase profitability in March 2019 Edition of For Construction Pros.
World of Concrete 2019 Las Vegas, NV
Stop at our booth B51624 at World of Concrete to see why construction industry leading general contractors are using the Hilmerson Safety Rail System™! Improve job site safety with engineered leading edge protection while significantly reducing labor hours and material waste. Eliminate
Passive Fall Protection Systems: The Safe & Cost Effective Choice for Construction Sites
A common belief is that success favors those who are active rather than passive. Hitting things head-on and hard directs the outcome while being passive leaves you vulnerable. When it comes to construction safety, in particular fall protection, we
The Hilmerson Safety Rail System™: Where 5S Methodology and Construction Safety Intersect
Dan Hannan, CSP and Debra Hilmerson As 5S methodology and lean building practices become more wide spread in the construction industry, there is a growing need for smart safety solutions that are designed to align with lean building practices. Originally
How to Develop a Safety Strategy
Dan Hannan, CSP A strategy establishes the broad means and methods of how business will be conducted to achieve progress and attain goals. Approaching something strategically implies calculated decision-making. Strategies are forward-looking and develop an operational path into the future
When Safety Training Misses the Mark
Dan Hannan, CSP Sitting through bad safety training is brutal. But it can be a double whammy for an employer who pays for a bad safety training, while paying employees to attend, and pushing pause on revenue generating work. OSHA’s
Leveraging Your Resources for Safety Program Progress
Dan Hannan, CSP As the safety leader for your company your challenges are many, and leveraging resources for safety program progress can be a great way to drive improvements. One of the items at the top of your list is
What if OSHA Didn’t Exist?
Dan Hannan, CSP Sorry to disappoint but OSHA does exist and it's here to stay. But if OSHA was absent from our lives would we be better off? What would the workplace look like? Would pre-1970 “best-effort” safety practices be
Are Safety Incentives OK?
Employers are often in one of two camps when it comes to safety incentives: Safety is a condition of employment. You are paid to perform your job well and stay injury-free. Your pay is your incentive to stay safe and
How Will You Track Safety Performance in 2018?
Were you satisfied with your organization’s safety performance last year? Dan Hannan, CSP Regardless of your answer to that question, allow me to challenge you with this question—how do you know? It is critical to evaluate and understand how you
OSHA Record Keeping in Minnesota: 3 Things to Know in 2018
Are you confused about Minnesota OSHA record keeping? How about electronic reporting requirements? You're not alone. Here are three things construction companies need to know about Minnesota OSHA record keeping going into 2018. Minnesota OSHA has yet to adopt the
New Patented Hilmerson Safety Product Improves Safety and Efficiency at Allianz Field Project
Mortenson Construction has announced that they will be utilizing Hilmerson Safety Rail Systems™ to protect workers at height and Current Cover™ to protect workers from electrical hazards.
