Best Practices To Help Keep Workers Safe On Construction Sites
2020.10.22
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The latest statistics shared by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that non-fatal injuries per 100,000 construction workers increased from 359 in 2017 to 366 in 2019, according to the Construction News. Working at a construction site can be rewarding and dangerous at the same time. Some of the safety risks contractors stand to encounter include structural collapses, falling objects, falls, electrocution, and machinery malfunction.
This is why employees at these worksites must know and follow the right safety rules, including construction machinery operating tips. If you’re an employer, there are various ways you can reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace. Here are the best practices to help keep construction workers safe throughout a project.
Create Awareness
Having careless employees at your worksite is likely the biggest danger because their unknowing mistakes put everyone at risk. As a construction manager, you need to ensure employees know the potential hazards around the site. When workers understand the dangers of working on building sites, preventing accidents becomes less stressful. It is also the project manager’s role to identify risks and implement safety practices. By keeping employees safe, you can rest assured of increased productivity in the workplace.
Invest in The Right Personal Protective Equipment
Providing workers with the correct protective gear is one of the best ways to create a culture that promotes construction site safety. Without the right equipment, employees will likely make fatal errors, as they will try to improvise their gear. So, before you can begin a project, make sure to invest in personal protective equipment made for construction workers. Some of these items include goggles, reflective vests, gloves, hard hats, knee pads, boots with slip-resistant soles, and hazard-proof earplugs. Also, consider things that don’t directly affect your projects. For example, provide enough drinking water and a shady place to prevent dehydration among employees.
Provide Training and Safety Tips for Crane Operation
Cranes are vital for erecting multi-story structures and moving heavy beams at construction sites. But like any other type of machinery, cranes create hazards such as property damage, serious injuries, and even death if not handled correctly. When crane accidents occur, construction companies also face legal implications. In most cases, workers or even bystanders will hire a crane accident lawyer to secure compensation if the cause of their injuries was due to the negligence of someone else.
Keep in mind, a crane accident might occur due to improper operation, incorrect assembling, maintenance failure, or hazardous conditions such as poor weather, uneven terrain, and power lines. To avoid injuries, fatalities, and lawsuits, provide your employees with detailed information about crane hazards and how to avoid them. Additionally, offer proper crane safety training, use the right signals and protective gear, understand crane specifications, and prioritize supervision.
Prioritize Health and Safety Training
While it’s possible to gain construction skills on the job, safety is one skill set workers should learn before setting foot on the worksite. Contractors must have adequate health and safety training, especially when working in medium to high-risk environments. Understanding risks linked to their actions helps employees operating machines, working at heights, and in confined spaces maintain safety.
Equally important, construction laborers should know first aid basics like life-saving techniques. There are plenty of resources, including pamphlets, training videos, and worksheets that help project managers train new laborers about safety and security measures. If your employees have years of experience, ensure they attend regular training sessions to refresh their knowledge on how to stay safe at construction sites.
Inspect Tools and Equipment
The use of broken and unsafe equipment at construction sites can result in severe injuries, including the loss of limbs. That is why inspecting construction tools and heavy machinery on a regular basis should be a top priority. This practice helps employers and workers identify malfunctions and defects before they cause health and safety hazards. Regular inspections also ensure that the work equipment runs in perfect conditions and optimally to enhance efficiency.
To achieve the best results, set a maintenance schedule. You can choose to perform visual and thorough checks daily, weekly, or even monthly, depending on the type of equipment and usage. Also, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance manual to be certain all machine parts function as required.
The goal of maintaining construction site safety is to reduce serious injuries, fatalities, and increase efficiency. Make an effort to raise awareness of possible worksite hazards and ensure workers wear the right protective equipment. It is also important to offer safety training and inspect equipment regularly.
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