Work-related accidents are more common in construction than any other industry. This is why it is important to ensure that your construction site is up to date in following the latest safety procedures.
Some of the most common reasons for accidents include; slips and trips, falls from a height, manual handling, and moving vehicles. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential in protecting yourself from the risks of certain tools.
However, a construction site presents a number of situations where PPE will do little to protect against certain hazards. This is why it is important to optimize your safety procedures by making small changes that will significantly minimize the risk of accidents. Here’s how.
Slips and trips
Slips and trips are very common but can be easily avoided. At all times, ensure that your space is clear before and after you carry out work. This includes debris from a task, building materials, and wires. If you have plenty of debris that you cannot dispose of immediately, consider designating a specific area to put it in so you can keep yourself and your co-workers safe.
Another tip is to invest in cordless tools, such as a cordless angle grinder. This will minimize the chance for someone to trip over a long wire and for electrical faults!
Falls from height
If possible, try to avoid working from a height completely. If this step is completely necessary, there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself.
Firstly, always ensure that you undergo work in a safe place where protection already exists, such as a balcony. If you need to prop up a ladder, clear the floor space and ensure the ground is flat.
When you’re working from a height, minimize the number of people who are doing so. Always have a group of people at the bottom, so if in the unfortunate event of a fall, there will be a team able to mitigate the effects. They can also put in measures that would minimize the impact of a fall, such as setting up an airbag or netting.
Personal measures you can take include wearing a fall arrest system or a tool lanyard to prevent your tools from slipping and potentially harming another worker.
Manual Handling
Manual handling, when not done correctly, can put workers at risk of musculoskeletal ailments. Therefore, it is very important that employees undergo the correct training and risk assessment before attempting to lift heavy objects. Otherwise, workers can repeatedly undergo the same repetitive movements and cause damage without knowing.
Moving Vehicles
As seen with heights, when it comes to moving vehicles, try to minimize the need to move them at all. Through planning and consideration, you can reduce their movement significantly. For example, designate areas for certain vehicles, schedule different times for different jobs, and ensure there is a space away from the workstation for visitors and workers to park if needs be.
However, if you do find it necessary to move a vehicle, ensure you are wearing the correct PPE and follow the correct procedures.
Through careful planning and attention to detail, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents in your workplace. Using these tips, think about your construction site and what could potentially be amended.
