Working in the construction industry is one of the most dangerous careers to undertake. According to OSHA, one of every five workplace fatalities is a construction worker, with falls being the leading cause of these fatalities. Despite these shocking statistics, construction is a rewarding job and can be safe when you take the proper precautions.
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Causes of Accidents on Construction Sites
There are typically four leading causes of construction accidents: falls, being hit by an object, getting caught or trapped, and electrocution.
Falls
Falls happen for various reasons, whether due to defective equipment, like ladders, unmarked danger zones, such as elevator shafts and excavation sites, or faulty scaffolding. Like other jobs, workers can also experience slip and fall accidents, which vary in severity and can lead to injuries.
Hit by an Object
While construction is underway, workers must be aware of their surroundings due to all the equipment, vehicles, and tools in the area. If left unattended, certain equipment or tools can fall, swing, or fly through the air and strike a worker. Additionally, workers can accidentally drop tools, or suspended loads can fall.
Getting Caught or Trapped
Construction workers can get caught, crushed, or trapped between two objects when the machinery fails or walls and scaffolding aren’t appropriately braced. Buildings can also collapse and can lead to fatal accidents.
Electrocution
Power lines, electrical circuits, and electrical equipment are everywhere on a construction site. If these lines are poorly insulated, do not have the correct breakers, or operate in wet conditions, it can lead to electrocution.
Main Ways to Prevent Accidents on a Construction Site
When you’re aware of the accidents at a construction site, you can create a plan for how to avoid them, says construction accident attorneys. Here are some of the main ways to prevent construction accidents:
Provide safety training
Before any job begins, the entire crew should receive safety training. The team should be aware of everything from fall protection to how to use the equipment properly, how to communicate with other crew members, how to use on-site machinery, and what type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.
Hold safety meetings
Aside from pre-job training, team leads or supervisors should hold regular safety meetings. These meetings are an excellent time to go over what’s expected of the crew, report any new threats or findings, and answer any questions or concerns posed by the crew.
Wear PPE
OSHA requires employers to provide their workers with PPE. Depending on the job, this can include hard hats, work gloves, safety glasses, earplugs, face shields, goggles, safety shoes, high-visibility vests, and fall protection equipment. Aside from giving your crews their PPE, enforcing them to wear it is also vital.
Maintain tools and equipment
Keeping your tools and equipment up-to-date is essential to keeping your crew safe. Everything from power tools to heavy machinery and vehicles should be in good condition to lessen the chance of them failing and injuring a worker.
Create fall protection systems
When crews work six feet above ground or higher, supervisors should put fall protection systems in place. These systems can include guardrails, scaffolding, screens, and canopies.
Hang safety signage
During a job, crew members will have a lot on their minds as they try to get the job done as safely and efficiently as possible. It’s a good idea to hang safety signage in some hazardous areas, such as near unguarded elevator shafts and where items are most likely to drop and fall, to remind crew members of these danger zones.
Perform regular inspections
Site supervisors or team leads should regularly inspect every job site. The more often these inspections are performed, the more informed you are about any issues, threats, or hazards. Then, you can take the proper steps to fix them.
Keep Your Construction Crews Safe
If you run a construction company, one of your top priorities is your crew’s safety. Staying informed of your job site’s conditions is one way to keep things running smoothly. When you take the measures to prevent accidents on construction sites, you’re creating a happier and healthier environment for your crew.