Construction: Top 10 Safety Hazards Within the Industry
A construction site is an area where a specific structure or building is built or renovated. People who make a living from construction projects must use extensive tools and machinery when working in tall systems and environments where potential hazards are present.
Accidents are inevitable, but they are preventable. Having them on your construction site can cost you money and affect your company's well-being. Thus, securing the area is a must. Surveys show that the construction industry is the primary sector for fatal injuries to employees.
Here are some of the safety hazards you can deal with when planning a commercial construction and the different safety measures on the construction site:
This construction hazard is one of the most common causes of fatal injuries to workers. According to the HSE, they estimated that 47% of worker deaths were due to a fall from tall structures. Workers and other staff need proper gear and proper training when working with different types of equipment, and such tasks must be prepared and practiced thoroughly. Here are some safety measures that your company should observe when dealing with these environments:
Use equipment that will provide an extra level of safety to reduce the risk of accidental falls. Examples are utilizing aluminum wall-mounted ladders or scaffolds with a double guard rail or edge protection.
Install a safety net for precautionary assistance.
Wearing a safety harness is also a requirement when working with heights.
A construction site is a fast-changing environment, and the dangers continue to pose a potential risk as the building is ongoing. These usually include overhead lifting equipment, digging machines, and supply vehicles. In these instances, workers should always make sure to:
Avoid working near the moving equipment.
Be aware of your area, especially if the equipment does not have beepers or lights.
Wear protective equipment such as a high visibility jacket to ensure that any personnel is visible on the construction site.
3. Trips, Slips, and Falls
These accidents can occur in almost any environment. Construction sites often have uneven surfaces, usually unused materials on the construction site, which are the leading causes of slips, trips, and falls.
People who control the construction area must carefully segregate the site so that the staff can move around it with ease and safety. Dangers and unwanted accidents should always be reported and approached to reduce the chances of injury. These are the ways you can prevent this hazard risk:
Provide walkways to reduce the risk of trips from uneven surfaces. The walkway must have a good condition surface and must be well lit.
Obstacles that can cause trips and falls can be diminished by implementing a tidy workplace that provides a designated area for waste collection.
Equipment Cables – If cordless tools are available, these types of equipment are more practical. Otherwise, it would be best to run your cables in higher areas.
Slippery surfaces – Any tricky areas should have a warning post, and your staff should use footwear with a good grip.
With different types of equipment working at total capacity, construction projects can be very noisy. As a result, noise can also be a typical construction hazard. Loud, excessive, and repetitive noise can cause hearing problems and, in extreme cases, deafness. Noises can also be a dangerous distraction and can distract the person when dealing with a hazardous task that demands precision and focus, which can cause accidents. As an employer, it is your responsibility to carry out a comprehensive noise risk assessment and provide appropriate PPE.
5. Manual Handling of Material
Different materials and vital equipment in construction are constantly moved around the area where it is needed. You can accomplish this through manual use or by equipment assistance. Regardless, handling these materials can pose some potential risks. To avoid accidents, you must implement adequate training when taking these objects before proceeding with the project.
Collapsing structures can be rare but one of the most dangerous hazards. A building under construction or in the process of demolishing can suddenly and unexpectedly collapse, which can cause severe injury to the people working inside and can even cause some casualties if the structure collapses.
Preventive measures should be mandated even before the project starts. As a site manager, you should:
Consider creating support that is appropriate for the trench.
Ensure the structure is fully secure and supported.
Regularly inspect the building structure both before and during the work shift.
Asbestos from a set of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals. When asbestos materials are disrupted or damaged, some fibers can be mixed into the air. Inhaling these fibers can cause fatal and lethal diseases such as lung cancer, pleural thickening, and asbestosis.
According to research, asbestos kills around 5,000 workers annually, and an average of 20 personnel die weekly due to previous exposure. If your construction site risks asbestos containment, you must inform workers of its specific location. They must be fully trained and equipped with proper procedures to safely handle suspicious materials that may contain asbestos.
Being exposed to live electrical parts can be a considerable risk if you are not a licensed professional handling them. Harm can happen through touching live parts directly or indirectly. Studies show that 1,000 electrical accidents at work are reported annually. Many of these accidents arise from contact with overhead or underground cables and electrical equipment or machinery. Electrocution is a common cause of falls from different work platforms.
Construction projects massively produce dust and other airborne fibers from the different processes of building enough foundation in building a structure. The dust on the construction site is a fine, invisible, and toxic mixture of hazardous fibers and materials. This can potentially damage your respiratory system, such as the lungs, and lead to asthma, silicosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Providing the appropriate equipment such as protective masks and others will prevent illnesses caused by airborne fibers.
There will always be a probability of equipment or machine malfunction in construction projects. With a long period of use, it can be susceptible to meltdowns and malfunctions. This can pose a prospective threat to the safety of your workers. To prevent this, make sure you impose regular checkups on your equipment and machines. Also, make sure to repair any potential damages as soon as possible and wear protective gear when working with risky devices.
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