Construction sites can be dangerous places with numerous potential hazards. It is easy for anyone to get into an accident when working from these construction sites. Some of the accidents would result in injuries whereas others can cause fatalities. Here are some safety tips that you should follow when working at a construction site. These tips can effectively help you prevent accidents.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Providing workers with the right PPE and ensuring they actually wear it is the first critical safety measure. Typical PPE includes:
- Hard hats to prevent head injuries from falling objects
- Safety glasses to prevent eye injuries from debris
- Earplugs to prevent hearing loss from loud machinery
- Safety shoes with slip-resistant soles to prevent foot injuries
- Gloves to protect hands
- High visibility safety vests so workers can spot each other
Ensure there are adequate supplies of PPE and that they are worn properly at all times in the construction area.
Control the Site and Restrict Access
Construction sites should be fenced off with a single controlled access point. Only authorized personnel should be allowed in the area. Signs should also indicate hard hat, safety glasses and any other PPE requirements. This prevents unauthorized access and enforces PPE rules.
Implement Fall Protection
Falls account for over a third of construction worker deaths. Proper fall protection measures are vital, including:
- Guardrails around open edges and incomplete stairwells
- Safety netting underneath high work areas
- Proper use of body harnesses and lanyards when working at height
Scaffolding also needs to be erected properly with the right fall protection. Never allow makeshift materials like barrels or boxes to be used to gain height.
Use Proper Safety Signage and Signals
Post clear signs to warn workers about specific dangers in each area such as falling hazards, low electrical wires, and vehicle traffic. Only properly trained signalers should direct traffic and cranes on the site. Standard hand signals should be used across the site.
Keep Areas Clean and Organized
Poor housekeeping results in tripping hazards and can cause injuries. Clean up loose materials and discarded tools regularly. Organize cables, cords and hoses so they do not pose tripping risks. Make sure escape paths are kept completely clear. A cluttered site is an unsafe site.
Conduct Regular Safety Inspections
Site safety officers should carry out daily walkthrough checks to proactively identify risks before they cause accidents. Look for loose guardrails, damaged ladders, improper scaffold setups, smoke alarms with dead batteries, blocked fire exits, trip hazards and any other safety issues that need to be rectified.
Provide Safety Training and Education
Every construction worker should undergo general site safety orientation as well as hazard-specific training before they start work. This ensures they know how to protect themselves and work safely. Safety messages and reminders should also be shared in pre-work meetings. A daily safety tip board can help reinforce the message.
Prevent Fatigue and Heat Related Illnesses
Working long hours without breaks, especially in hot weather, leads to mental fatigue, loss of concentration and potential fainting or heat stroke. Enforce break times throughout shifts to let workers cool down and recover both physically and mentally. Sufficient shade structures and ready access to hydration are also critical.
Control Use of Heavy Machinery
Only properly trained and licensed operators should be allowed to operate cranes, forklifts, bulldozers and other heavy machines. No one should be allowed under loads and safe working distances from machinery need to enforced. Conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure machinery is in sound working order.
By taking the right safety measures and having vigilant construction site monitoring in place, worksites do not need to be hazardous sites. Fostering a zero-tolerance approach for unsafe practices is essential to prevent accidents and avoidable tragedies on construction sites. The life saved may be your own or your co-worker’s.
In case if you or anyone runs into a construction site accident due to the negligence of the site owner, you are eligible to receive a compensation. This is where you need to get in touch with a reliable law firm such as New York Construction Accident Attorney. Work with attorneys that you can trust and you will be able to get the compensation you deserve.
