It’s common to hear of construction workers suffering from health emergencies while on the job. Some of these incidents result in fatalities, while others may lead to long-term disability.
These health emergencies can be attributed to the nature of construction work, which involves heavy lifting, physical labor, exposure to harmful chemicals, and other hazards.
While it’s impossible to eliminate risks involved in such an environment, there are things that you can do to prepare for any potential health emergencies that may arise. Below are six tips applicable when you’re in a construction site:
Table of Contents
Invest In Self-Contained Self Rescuers
Every work site should have at least one self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) for each person. An SCSR provides oxygen in an emergency where there are no other means of getting oxygen into your body. It also helps you breathe easier and keeps you calm during stressful situations when breathing becomes difficult due to smoke inhalation or other reasons. The device can be used by adults and children, provided they know how to use it properly and safely.
You should invest in these devices if you want all workers on your team to be prepared for any emergency that may arise during their shift. You can purchase them online from various retailers, just be sure that what you’re getting are legit products.
Have A First Aid Kit Ready At All Times
You should also have a first aid kit ready at all times. The contents of this kit should include bandages, gauze, scissors, antiseptic wipes, and burn creams, among others. Keep it close by at all times so that the medical team can readily access it in case of an emergency.
When choosing a first aid kit for your construction workers, you can choose from various options available today, including those with compartments and built-in elastic straps to hold the supplies in place. Such kits are usually made of sturdy material that can withstand rough handling during movement around the site. This way, you can protect your first aid kit from damage within the area.
Ensure You Have CPR-Ready Staff
One of your priorities should be to ensure that your staff members are trained to respond to medical emergencies. They should be able to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
An excellent way to ensure this is by making all staff members receive adequate training from a certified instructor. You may conduct CPR training sessions twice a year and have each employee practice on a mannequin. This will help them develop the necessary skills and confidence when dealing with health emergencies.
In addition, you can make sure everyone knows where the AEDs are kept and how they are operated. This way, if someone needs one in an emergency, they can get and use it immediately.
Install Fire Alarms And Extinguishers
Fire is one of the most dangerous things on a construction site. Fires can cause severe damage not just to the property but also to human lives. To prevent fires from starting or spreading, you can install fire alarms and extinguishers on your construction site.
There are various types of fire alarms available in the market, such as smoke and heat detectors. These devices will make a loud noise when they detect smoke or heat from a fire. The loud noise can alert workers about a possible fire at an early stage, so they can evacuate the area quickly before it spreads.
Provide Ways To Contact A Nearby Hospital
Another way to protect your construction workers and visitors is providing ways for your employees to contact a nearby hospital if they have any urgent medical needs. This helps them respond to acute health emergencies, which can be very dangerous for everyone involved.
Ideally, this should be done through your radio system so that anyone who needs help can get it quickly without having to leave their workstation or worrying about getting lost in the process. You could also provide them with an emergency pager system that will alert nearby hospitals if activated by an employee suffering from a severe injury or illness. This way, you can ensure that they get immediate medical attention without delay, so they can avoid workplace death.
Rope Off Hazardous Working Areas
If you are working in an area with many potential hazards, such as electrical construction equipment or heavy machinery, you should rope off the site so that it is marked as being out of bounds.
When roping off areas, you can use signs or cones to show people where they need to stay away from; doing so prevents them from entering a dangerous site by mistake. You should also make sure that everyone who enters such areas knows about the dangers so that they know what precautions they need to take when working there.
Key Takeaway
All jobs and projects involve hazards and risks. However, workers’ health and safety are of utmost concern at construction sites. You must take necessary precautions to prevent accidents and illnesses during the building process.
With this six-item guideline, you can help your team prepare for health emergencies in your construction site. By following the aforementioned tips, you can ensure that all workers stay safe and healthy while doing their job.
