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Construction is a lucrative industry that is filled with dangers and risks on the construction site. Nevertheless, it is profitable to those who have the right know-how and experience in the industry.
General contractors have the responsibility to maintain safety on the site by following the necessary safety protocols. The absence of these safety measures result in costly damages to the construction work and death to the workers.
Construction mishaps are common if proper safety measures are not followed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reported that one in ten construction site workers are injured every year. This is an alarming situation which means that construction contractors need to take proactive steps.
Workers between 25 – 30 are more prone to accidents. This means many young workers are forced to leave the industry due to injuries. If you are related to the construction industry, maintaining site safety is your responsibility.
This blog post mentions some common measures that one can take to improve construction site safety.
Common Causes Of Accidents On The Construction Site
Some of the causes of accidents on the construction site are as follows:
- Falling from heights
- Getting trapped in something
- Struck by a falling object
- Struck by a moving object
- Contact with electrical discharge
Emphasize On Safety Training
Having PPE and safety equipment is of no use if you have not trained your workers on how to properly use them. Proper education and training about safety measures are necessary. This training must also elaborate on the importance of wearing safety equipment and PPE.
This helps the workers understand the value of following safety measures before starting the work. Each worker must also carry out site-specific induction training. This helps to point out high risk areas and thus, identify necessary measures to take to minimize the risks.
Keep Protective Gear Ready
Another common and most useful way to ensure job site safety for the construction workers is to keep protective gear ready. This might include braces, eyewear, gloves, steel-toed boots, helmets, and more. Every worker on the construction site has to wear these. Managers and supervisors must also ensure that every worker wears PPE and other protective gear.
Communicate
Communicating well with your construction workers can reduce many problems. Accidents are likely to occur when your workers are unsure of what can happen. Therefore, construction workers should be well-aware of their surroundings.
Many professional construction companies are equipped with devices like smartphones, walkie-talkies, or headsets to communicate on the site with other team members. This keeps every team member in the loop, and everyone is aware of other members’ tasks and progress.
Install Signs Clearly
Warning and direction signs should be carefully installed everywhere on the construction site. Construction sites are full of potential dangers for the general public and the construction workers. There might be dangerous pits at a certain site, and not knowing about them can be dangerous for the workers.
Therefore, it is better to invest in clear, visible, and big signs to alert everyone on the site about the hazards. These signs can reduce the hazards caused by gas/chemicals, falling objects, and more.
Make Sure The Tools And Machines Are Inspected Regularly
Most construction work is dependent on the tools and equipment. If they are in good condition, your workers will be kept safe. However, if they have not been inspected for years and are being used daily without any inspection, they might pose a danger to your workers. So, make sure no machine or equipment malfunctions. Highlight the issues if a piece of equipment malfunctions and get it repaired as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
Professional building contractors make sure their workers feel safe on the construction site. This helps them complete their work on time and gain the trust of their customers. Following the tips mentioned in this blog can help eliminate dangers on the site and make the environment a safe place to work in.
About Premium Built Structures
Premium Built Structures is here to help you with your construction and related needs. We are reliable building contractors operating in Western Canada and serving in the commercial, agriculture, and residential sectors. For further information, contact us here.
