Those familiar with the construction industry will know that this work environment can present dangerous situations daily. By correctly implementing construction safety, workers can be kept safe and productivity can continue as normal.
What is Construction Safety?
Construction safety involves the implementation of rules and regulations concerning construction sites in atop workers safe from accidents and injury. Failure to implement these safety measures can result in serious injury or death.
Why is Safety Important for Construction Workers?
Research shows that the majority of fatal and non-fatal injuries occurring in the workplace were related to:
- Slips and falls
- Collisions with objects or vehicles.
- Improperly moving or lifting heavy objects
As the majority of these accidents are related to construction operations, the implementation of construction safety management and workplace safety training can significantly reduce these types of injuries. It can also teach workers how to avoid dangerous situations and how to react to them.
Issues to be Considered for Construction Safety
Educate the Workforce
Contractors and safety professionals must ensure that the workers participating on a project have the right skill set and knowledge to complete their tasks safely and prevent hazards. Construction workers need to be educated about common hazards in construction, such as fall hazards, caught-in or between hazards, struck-by hazards, and electrocution hazards.
Understand the Project
To ensure construction safety management is addressed, all workers involved in any construction project need a comprehensive understanding of what is expected of them. This includes the work to be performed, any requirements that work must meet, and who is responsible for what tasks.
Furthermore, contractors, project managers, and safety professionals need to be aware of any regulatory requirements governing the work being performed. They also need to be aware of and understand the range of different groups on their construction site and what is expected of them in terms of project safety.
Remember the Hierarchy of Controls
Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be used as the first line of defense in protecting workers from hazards on construction sites. Contractors, safety professionals, and workers need to remember that the hierarchy of controls begins with the elimination or substitution of hazards.
These methods provide the greatest reduction of hazards to protect workers and should be pursued before moving further down the hierarchy to PPE.
Employ Effective Construction Safety Management
By employing effective construction safety management, workers will have a safety management system in place that can be referred to in an effort to prevent injury. This safety management system demonstrates how executives think about safety, the level of training provided to workers, and the actions of those workers as they complete their tasks.
Guidelines for effective safety management programs can include the following:
- Commitment and leadership from management
- Worker participation
- Hazard identification and assessment
- Hazard prevention and control
- Education and training
- Communication
- Program improvement
Look Out for Worker Well-Being
Protecting the safety and health of construction workers should be taken a step further with measures put in place such as employee assistance programs. This will provide a confidential forum for workers to discuss personal issues such as substance abuse or depression.
With these measures implemented, construction workers can get the help they need and the safety of their well-being can be seen as well.
Related Article: How to File a Construction Injury Claim?
Construction Safety Checklist
For construction safety, these are the most important measures to take.
Always wear PPE
When on the construction site, all workers and visitors should wear the required PPE to lessen exposure to various hazards on the worksite. Common PPEs include:
- Goggles
- Helmets
- Gloves
- Ear muffs or plugs
- Boots
- High-visibility vests and suits
Follow the Signs
Construction safety signs serve to warn, as well as raise health and safety awareness for employees and visitors. They should be placed around the site where necessary to help workers become familiar with the construction safety tips and different signs such as:
- Prohibition signs
- Mandatory signs
- Warning signs
- Safe condition signs
- Firefighting equipment signs
Provide Clear Instructions
A set of clear construction site introductory instructions for general contractors should be present on-site to allow new workers to become familiar with site operations. Daily talks for relaying health and safety instructions to the workforce should be done before starting work.
Organize and Store Tools Properly
There should be no tools lying around, and any lights and power tools must stay unplugged. Organizing construction tools and storing them in the correct places, will make workers aware of where to find them when needed.
Keep the Construction Site Neat
The site must be cleaned daily and stay clutter-free to prevent potential slips and falls. This means that debris, dust, loose nails, and water from excavations and backfilling must not be seen lying around the construction site.
Use the Correct Equipment for the Right Task
Construction site accidents and injuries can often be a result of using tools or equipment incorrectly. Workers should avoid using makeshift tools and rather use the correct tools, which will help to get the job done quicker and safer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Construction Safety
What are the top 4 Construction hazards?
The top four construction hazards can be categorized as the following:
- Fall hazards
- Caught in or between hazards
- Struck-by hazards
- Electrocution hazards
What is Safety as used in Construction?
Safety in construction can be seen as a principle adhered to and enforced by construction safety managers. It includes safe equipment usage, worker protection from hazards, regular site inspections, and risk assessments. All of this helps to prevent construction site workers from a danger that could lead to serious injury.
Team of Well-Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys
For individuals that have been the victim of an event where construction safety has not been implemented correctly, there is help available.
Call us today at Coluccio Law for a free quote or contact us online via our convenient online platform.
Our team of well-experienced personal injury attorneys can assist you with the legal assistance that you need to make the burden of such a devastating event more bearable.
