Construction sites are hazardous places to work, and it is essential to take the right safety measures to protect workers and prevent accidents. From wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to following procedures, there are many ways to make the workplace a safer environment. In this article, we look at 10 essential safety measures that should be taken in a construction site. It is important to use the right equipment for the right task.
Due to the possibility of humid conditions (both in outdoor work and in wet work), it is essential to only use 110 V equipment on construction sites. It is also important to spread the message about construction site rules, and this can be done as part of the induction process, as a 5-minute awareness-raising talk, or for on-site display. When it comes to excavations, it is important to consider the 1.2 million rule. This rule states that if an excavation is less than 1.2 m deep, it does not need support.
However, excavations at any depth are at risk of collapsing if not supported. Ladders are also a common hazard in construction sites, and they are involved in more than a quarter of all falls from a height, resulting in serious and sometimes fatal injuries. To prevent this, it is important to follow our 10 stair safety rules and use ladders correctly. It is also important to have everyone check in upon arrival and only move around the area accompanied by an authorized person.
All visitors should also have their visits approved before coming. With the COVID-19 pandemic making it crucial to maintain safe distances, virtual tour software is becoming popular to allow people to view construction areas remotely. In addition, there are products that issue automatic alerts when people fall and send assistance to their locations. Others measure characteristics such as the worker's heart rate and advise when to take breaks. Companies have also developed specific products to help construction companies manage the COVID-19 crisis. These portable devices make sounds when people stay too close to each other for extended periods of time and help with contact tracing.
Keeping workers safe in their workplaces could increase efficiency and reduce accidents. When it comes to fall protection systems, employers must ensure that scaffolding is constructed and erected by a competent person who should also supervise the daily inspection of scaffolding. Scaffolding must include railings, intermediate railings and struts, be placed on a solid base and be fully ironed. When using ladders, workers must maintain at least three points of contact during the time they spend on a ladder. As they go up and down, both feet and at least one hand or both hands and one foot should be supported on the ladder while moving. Tools must be carried up and down inside a tool belt or lifted once you've stopped climbing. Personal fall protection systems should always be inspected, and employers must ensure that employees understand how and when to tie ladders.
Any faulty ladder should be marked as such and not used until it is repaired. Finally, helmets must be worn in areas with a high potential for head injuries. Workers must maintain weight limits when working and construction materials must be carefully transported upwards. Working towards limiting threats is an ongoing goal that requires constant effort from everyone involved in order to make profits while reducing risks for employees. By following these 10 essential safety measures for construction sites, employers can help make their workplace a safer place.
