Thousands of construction workers suffer from injuries and sometimes even death in onsite accidents every year. Even though it’s impossible to control every possible condition, supervisors and workers on construction sites can take steps to prevent accidents whenever possible.
Equipment maintenance and implementing safety protocol are some of the six ways to decrease accidents in construction.
Use Safety Gear
Even if workers follow every safety measure, accidents can still happen. Wearing safety gear is important in case equipment malfunctions, and it could save you from serious harm. Wearing protective equipment, like steel toe boots, hard hats, harnesses, and ear and eye protection, could be the mitigating factor that saves you from going to the hospital.
Equipment Maintenance
Keeping ground engaging equipment maintained is important to the safety of the construction crew. Heavy machinery, like bulldozers and excavators, can cause severe harm if they malfunction due to improper maintenance. Workers should conduct a visual inspection for worn parts before using them and follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. These are two ways to maintain heavy machinery.
Safety Protocols
Inspecting equipment and staying on schedule with maintenance are only two of the many safety protocols a construction crew can adopt while onsite. Training new employees on all safety measures should always happen during the first days on the job. Also, supervisors need to stay updated on changes workers notice in machinery or the site itself and adapt the protocols.
Take Breaks
Fatigue can be the instigator of accidents, too. Give your crew the required number of breaks in a workday, even if some workers try to work through lunchtime and breaks to earn overtime. Working through exhaustion can cause accidents to themselves and others.
Prevent Falls
Falls are a common cause of death at a construction site, so it’s important to ensure that your crew has the proper installations to prevent avoidable falls. Systems like guardrails, screens, toe boards, and nets will help save a life.
Recognize Hazards
An owner needs to recognize any potential hazards on their site. Completing a risk assessment will give you safety measures, and when implemented, will protect your hard-working crew.
There are ways to decrease accidents in construction, but only if supervisors and workers take the right precautions from the beginning.
