How to Decrease Your Chances of a Construction Injury

According to OSHA, 20 percent of workplace deaths happen to construction workers. While there are some inherent dangers to working in construction, such as working from heights, operating machinery, and using hand tools, construction sites can be safe places to work. Much depends on a worker’s awareness of potential hazards and on implementing a proven, effective safety program.

Safety Training for Employees Is a Must

Construction sites are safer if employers educate employees on standards of safety. This includes helping them identify hazards they may encounter while working. Workers should be required to review health and safety policies for every job site they are called to. They should be provided information on how to identify and communicate with trained first aid responders. Employees should also be limited to only operating equipment that they are qualified and trained to use.

Take Falls Seriously

Falls are the number one cause of fatalities for construction workers. Preventing falls requires that both the worker and the employer take preventative measures. The employee is responsible for being aware of their environment. Employers should take steps to protect their employees from falls on the job. This might mean installing protection systems that can prevent falls or minimize injuries if a fall happens. Failure to install protective systems could lead to a construction worker receiving a serious injury or losing their life. Protective items and systems would include nets, canopies, toe boards, and screens. These devices must be properly installed and well-constructed. If scaffolding is used, it should be built properly so that it can adequately hold the intended weight. Scaffolding should be inspected regularly after it’s put up to make sure that there are no hazards present.

A Clean Construction Site Is a Safe One

Clutter leads to accidents. When construction sites are clean and free of debris, this will lessen the chances that a construction worker will get injured. A clean environment will greatly minimize the chances of slip and fall accidents. Tools and materials should be stored in an organized way and in predetermined locations at the end of every work day. Walkways should be kept free of debris.

Crew Safety Meetings Create a Safe Work Environment

Depending on the hazards present at a construction site, workplace safety meetings should be held frequently, perhaps daily. These meetings would include reminders to employees to focus on their task and avoid distractions. If there are relevant safety issues, they should also be addressed. At these meetings, it is good to avoid the temptation to exaggerate dangers but focus on factual and job-specific information. This will motivate workers to see safety as a priority.

Require the Use of Protective Clothing and Gear

Workers should not be allowed on a construction site if they are not wearing the required safety equipment for the task they will carry out. Common safety equipment includes hardhats, goggles, gloves, high visible clothing, steel-toed boots, and protective suits. There can be many dangers in a construction field such as crane accidents, electrocution, and especially exposure to dangerous chemicals. According to a Houston personal injury lawyer, “Even if the materials are properly handled, there are some ingredients that could be extremely harmful if a worker endures exposure on a regular basis.” This is why it is extremely important to be aware of the potential dangers and to take extra precautions to ensure everyone’s safety on the job.

Keep Tools and Equipment Properly Maintained

The temptation could be to grab a tool and start working with it immediately. However, construction workers should be trained to first review a piece of equipment or machinery before they use it. They should look for obvious signs of wear and tear or other indications that the tool is not functioning properly. Tools should have a regular inspection schedule. There have been sad reports of people who have been trapped under heavy equipment because it was not operating properly. Power tools that are broken or have malfunctioning parts can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities.

Identify Hazards and Make a Plan

Prior to working on a site, the site should be inspected for any common or uncommon hazards. A risk assessment can be done with the goal of protecting construction workers. Once the risk assessment has been complete, an action list of preventative measures should be created and implemented. Identifying hazards is not enough. Follow-through could include seeing that workers get the training, education, and information needed to stay safe. Construction workers are a key part of any society’s growth. They provide housing, shelter, office buildings, and commercial spaces that are needed if a society will function properly. Therefore, it is imperative that construction workers can carry out their tasks in a safe environment with minimal risk.