How to Reduce Injuries on a Construction Site
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 1 among 5 workplace injuries is a construction worker. This shows us how hazardous commercial construction sites are. However, the industry’s ability to adapt has also made it easier for companies to identify the underlying causes of injuries. In turn, this has helped find ways to tackle those issues and reduce the rates of injury on site. Today on our blog, our Sacramento construction general contractors will be covering how to reduce injuries on a construction site.
Hold safety meetings regularly.
These meetings should be held every day, especially if your commercial construction workers are undertaking high-risk work. Our friends over at McQuillan Brothers, emergency plumber Minneapolis, regularly implement safety meetings into their weekly schedules. These meetings highlight the importance of safety. Additionally, they remind the employees of the dangers identified during risk assessments while reminding them to stay focused. Addressing relevant issues that apply to the job-specific site information ensures that employees know the exposure points.
Conduct a Real Risk Assessment
Before a project begins, a commercial construction site should be inspected for any potential or unusual hazards. These inspections will allow you to develop a proper safety plan that takes into account these potential hazards. Alternatively, you can also have a job hazard analysis carried out on the site. This has proven itself as a savior, both for working capital savings and human lives.
Additionally, for each potential hazard observed, a corresponding list of preventive measures should be compiled then implemented. A risk assessment document should then be provided for all workers during a safety meeting. The brief will highlight the right education, information, and training required to stop injuries from occurring on site.
Stop Falls Before They Occur
Falls are among the leading cause of injuries in the construction sector. They are also the leading cause of death in the industry. They make up about 33% of all construction injuries. Installing fall protection systems can go a long way in preventing a large number of construction fatalities from occurring. These protection systems include screens, guardrails, canopy structures, toe boards, scaffolding, and nets. For scaffolding, it is important to ensure that it is constructed well and installed properly to hold the intended weight. Scaffolding should also be inspected regularly by a qualified Sacramento commercial builder. Other protection methods include a lanyard or a safety harness.
Maintain Equipment and Conduct Checks Regularly
The machinery used in most construction sites today requires a lot of down-time responsibility, including inspecting the equipment regularly and maintaining it. More than 75% of struck-by injuries result from heavy machinery like cranes or trucks. Thoroughly and regularly conducting maintenance checks on this equipment will increase your ability to stop malfunctions. This is huge, as these malfunctions may cause serious injuries.
Use Protective Gear and Clothing
Workers should, at all times, wear the recommended safety equipment for their jobs. This may include goggles, a hard hat, gloves, high-visibility clothing, a protective suit, or steel-toed shoes. During the summer heat, outdoor commercial renovation Sacramento workers require nape protectors, wide-brim hard hats, and long-sleeve-lightweight shirts. These will help protect them from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Ensure the workspace remains clean
Keeping the worksite clean and free of debris will reduce the chances of a commercial builder sustaining injuries and preventing worksite accidents such as falls, trips, and slips. Employees are encouraged to put away their construction materials and tools when done with the job. Walkways should also remain free from debris at all times. This will help avert any accidents that include falls and slips.
Exercise caution with vehicles
Many commercial construction site accidents usually involve vehicles. Workers should practice parking, backing, and defensive driving. Commercial construction companies in Sacramento can organize periodic refresher courses to sharpen construction equipment and vehicle operators/drivers’ skills.
Use the Equipment in the Right Manner
Using construction equipment or tools for something they are not designed for may interfere with the manufacturer’s inbuilt safety features. Misusing equipment may also cause damage to the equipment, which may cause injuries to employees.
Furthermore, any equipment used in construction sites should meet OSHA standards.
Develop a safety culture
Repeating safety information and warnings every day will help your workers but only to some extent. At the end of the day, working as a team to willfully approach safety will prevent construction fatalities. When your workers make an effort to conduct their own safety protocols and risk assessments, they will help prevent injuries by awareness and active discussion.
Headwaters Construction Inc. hopes that you consider all the useful information on injury prevention discussed above and implemented it on your construction site. If you have any inquiries about the services we provide or would like to learn more about our company’s services, please contact us today.