Construction sites are some of the most dangerous places to work because of health and safety hazards. Construction workers are continuously risking their lives whenever they’re working on a site. According to OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 5,190 workers died while they were on the job. These numbers are equivalent to 14 deaths per day.
If you’re a contractor or you’re in the construction industry, it’s crucial to implement safety measures on a construction site to eliminate or minimize the occurrence of construction-related accidents. Specific protocols must be followed before you start your construction to ensure smooth building operations and keep the work area safe.
Tips on How to Make Your Construction Site Safe
There is no denying that an accident in a construction site may happen because of the nature of the job. However, these accidents can be prevented as long as safety measures are implemented. It may be hard work, but it’s possible if everyone cooperates. If you’re the supervisor or the contractor, you can apply these helpful tips to ensure a safe and accident-free construction site:
- Ensure that everyone is accounted for. Always take note of everyone who is present in the construction site. Being aware of all the workers who are on the site enables you to have accountability whenever there is an emergency or accident during the job.
- Always wear the appropriate protective gear. The construction site is not a safe place. Therefore, everyone in it must have the proper equipment to protect them from falling debris. Hard hats, safety shoes, and work gloves are some of the standard protective gear. Special safety gears must be used if the work involves welding or other iron works.
- Train all personnel who are going to work on the site. Proper training is required before workers are dispersed into their respective construction sites. They must be aware of the safety measures when in a site and they should be knowledgeable on how to respond to emergency situations.
- Ensure all ladders and stairways are safe. Stairways and ladders must be strapped on to a secure structure. They must also be able to carry the weight of the workers using them. Broken or damaged ladders must be replaced immediately.
- Provide fall protection. Inspect your fall arrest systems before using them. They must be tied and installed securely to minimize accidents. Employees who are experienced in handling these systems are the only ones who should operate it.
Whether you’re a construction worker or a supervisor, you have the responsibility to keep yourself and everyone else safe from accidents. If you’re the owner or the contractor, your primary responsibility is ensuring that the workplace is safe. Every construction site must have a protocol when it comes to how everyone must be prepared whenever they are on the job. Safety gears must be worn at all times as an added protection. If you need any legal help regarding this matter, just click here.
