Construction sites are places that have many safety hazards. It almost feels like there is a safety hazard looming around in every corner.
As a result, it is critical that every worker in a construction site is rightly equipped and dressed for safety. Construction workers should also know and follow safety and precautionary rules set in every site.
By doing these, construction workers can enjoy a safe and conducive working environment.
Here are the top five health and safety tips for construction workers.
- Wearing of Personal Protective Equipment
One of the easiest ways to prevent construction workplace injuries is to ensure that every construction worker wears a piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These include helmets, goggles, noise cancellation earbuds or ear muffs.
Additionally, safety boots, respiratory masks, high grip gloves and high visibility jackets (hi-vis) could be the differentiating factor between a minor bruise, a severe injury or even fatality in extreme cases.
Using the right PPE for the right task is the most efficient way to protect against construction site hazards. PPE should be well-taken care off and replaced when they get worn out, or unfit for the job.
- Health and Safety Training
Construction workers should strive to make safety a core aspect of their daily activities. It is critical that they receive training on how to handle construction injuries. They should know how to provide first aid and rudimentary life-saving procedures when necessary. You can arrange for a group first aid training in Birmingham so that there are more qualified first aiders in your organisation who can respond to workplace emergencies.
ISafety drills and regulations should also be conducted to check on the workers’ alertness and response during an emergency.
- Proper Handling of Equipment and Machinery
Construction workers should have sufficient knowledge of handling and operating construction equipment and machinery to prevent accidents from happening.
Faulty or broken machinery should immediately be reported or replaced. It also important for equipment to be regularly checked and serviced.
- Scaffolding
When erecting a scaffold construction, workers shouldn’t look for a quick and easy way to do it. Ensure that scaffold construction is done on straight and even ground with stable holds to prevent it from collapsing. Construction workers should also be considerate of the co-workers working above and below them.
A construction helmet is a must when working under or on a scaffold. A good pair of non-slippery boots, safety belts and lanyards are also required when on a scaffold. Workers should also know the maximum weight and capacity that a scaffold can hold.
- Clear Safety Signs, Flyers and Boards
Clear and visible signs are the first line of caution when one enters a construction site. They warn against possible dangers and injuries that may arise. One should not ignore these safety instructions. For instance, you should not enter an area with a falling objects sign without a hard hat/helmet.
Signs, flyers and boards are a cost-effective way of minimizing accidents such as falling objects, large vehicles turning, and naked cables amongst others.
Workplace safety should always be the number one priority. David Rowland, Head of Marketing at Engage EHS, is one of the foremost proponents of a stringent health and safety policy. He claims that a positive health and safety culture is vitally important, and that it can have a knock on effect on your business bottom line. Following the tips mentioned above will ensure that you have a construction site that ensures construction workers’ health and safety. Having a safe working environment will also help in keeping a smooth flow of operations in your construction site.
