Keeping the work environment safe and healthy should always be a priority for your employers. Setting a certain standard and meet general requirements is an important factor that further allows people to do their tasks without thinking about these issues.
When it comes to the construction industry, this is absolutely necessary due to the number of reported work-related injuries. Hazards and dangers that come with this profession are among the highest ones when it comes to risk management.
Training
The starting point for any kind of work on the construction site is the proper training of employees, as it can save people’s lives. This is the most effective preventive measure and it ought to include several aspects.
You should also check for any local or regional standard requirements. Here in Australia for example, a person is not allowed to work on the construction site without passing a white card training, so don’t forget to check for those even if your employer didn’t!
Furthermore, for some higher-risk tasks, an employer would need to require an additional training session, regardless of age and experience of the construction worker. Technology is changing fast, and for everyone’s safety, each worker should be up to date with all the rules and regulations that go along the changes. If quality control is set as the key component, the project will be done smoothly!
Protective gear
It’s a golden rule that every worker on the site must wear personal protective equipment at all times! Some serious problems, accidents, and injuries can be prevented in this way. Some of the most important pieces of such equipment are helmet, boots, gloves, and goggles, and this goes for everyone. Nevertheless, many positions depending on the specific circumstances will require some additional gear, for example, harnesses and safety nets for working at the heights.
All the protective equipment should be provided by the employer! It is the only way to ensure everyone has gear that is in compliance with safety regulations! All the equipment needs to be regularly (and meticulously) inspected by certified professionals. Any additional gear you feel you might need, such as earplugs, should be requested from the employer.
Working at heights
It is crucial for people working on such tasks to take all the measures in order to prevent falling and slipping. There is no excuse for not wearing any piece of equipment (ever) while not on a ground level if you’re aware of the risk, as it would simply be worker’s negligence with the potential to endanger not only yourself but other workers on the site as well.
Protecting a worker on height has always been a challenge in this industry, but as the living standards rise, the safety measures do so accordingly! There are three types of actions for this type of construction work and those categories are preventive, passive and active actions.
Preventive measures should include wearing protective gear with all the harnesses along with some mental preparation. Active systems are in relation to harnesses – arrest systems that serve the purpose of reducing the hazards of a fall.
Toxic substances on the site
Preventing chemical injuries is extremely important for working at a construction site. Dealing with hazardous materials can leave some serious and long-lasting consequences on a person. Several aspects should be a priority, such as how to properly store such materials, special training for people who will deal with those, how to act in case the toxic material is spilled and their disposal.
Check for regulations on the labels and ask for any additional gear you might need.
Conclusion
Raising awareness within both employers and employees is the key. Proper planning and risk management can reduce most of the potential dangers, but the nature of this type of work implies certain dangerous aspects.
