It is no doubt that working at a construction site is one of the most dangerous jobs out there. With many things happening around and everything in constant motion, there are many things that could easily be neglected. Unfortunately, there are times when this neglect could lead to an unexpected accident.
Construction sites are prone to accidents so it is important to look out for your workers and ensure their safety. You need to be more vigilant, especially considering the work required in this job, such as dealing with heavy and mobile equipment, heavy lifting, heights at cranes, drilled holes, edges, and even wobbling stairs. There are many ways to ensure each construction worker’s safety, like the following:
1.) Wear safety and protective gear at all times
Contractors are required to provide the necessary equipment for their workers, and that includes construction safety gears like ear protection, custom hard hats, safety vests, eye protection safety glasses, ergonomics, respirators, safety harnesses, flashlights, and first aid kits.
If any of these safety gear or equipment is missing, it could be crucial to worker safety, so it is important to have all of them at all times. If not in use, it would still be important to have it around the site at least for precautionary purposes.
2.) Do routine inspections of the area
The construction site will always be busy and as long as work is ongoing, a lot would change around the area. This means that a specific area that was cleared yesterday may not be cleared the next day, considering all the work done in those hours. Inspecting the area every now and then would prevent possible accidents even if a piece of equipment is moved to another place the next day.
Also, it is not advisable for workers to work on fragile scaffolds that do not have strong platforms to support it. Having ladders in the construction site is an essential tool, but is also prone to danger. Inspect ladders carefully and make sure that they are in compliance with the safety protocols provided by the bosses before using them.
3.) Be cautious around equipment that deals with electricity
Construction sites almost always need electrical supports or installations. Most of the heavy lifting require electricity and weights. When operating such equipment, the person operating it should be knowledgeable and ensure that the heavy equipment has no damage or wear and tear in the area.
Devices such as grinders or drills that require electricity need to be double-checked if the cables are protected, if the metal cases are grounded, and if everything is plugged in through a circuit-breaker. It is also important to note that all plugged-in equipment shall never be put anywhere near water.
4.) Always have a first aid kit nearby
Although a first aid kit needs to be essential in the safety gears and equipment department, having one nearby would still be much more preventive. The proximity of a first aid kit in the site would also make it easier to access (for the workers) just in case an unexpected accident happens, and there is no consulting supervisor present to provide the kit.
Some ways to maintain safety at construction sites is by providing the needed gears to workers, being more cautious, and staying vigilant.
