Last Updated on October 5, 2022 by admin
Common Accidents
Common Accidents – It can be easy for construction sites to become dangerous places. To prevent workers from injury or harm health and safety protocols must be followed. We have compiled a list below of the most common hazards on construction sites and how they can be mitigated.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are all possibilities in construction sites that are messy. Where loose cabling is left on the floor workers are vulnerable to losing their footing. As such, employers and employees are expected to be responsible for ensuring that all walkways are clear, that all debris is tidied away and that potential obstructions are moved out of the way.
Falls From a Height
Workers spend plenty of time on scaffolding and ladders as part of their job and this is one of the greatest risks they take in their line of work. Of all the common accidents these can be the most dangerous. The risks of a fall are increased by the act of reaching for equipment on certain levels. This can be easily remedied if staff make use of tool belts or tool lanyards to keep equipment within reaching distance at a safe measure. You can lower the risk by conducting a risk assessment; regularly checking that equipment is in good condition; ensuring that work surfaces are dry, safe, and unobstructed; and, most importantly, equipping employees with the right personal protection equipment.
Equipment Checks
Construction sites ought to make it part of their routine to regularly assess the condition of the equipment they are using. Faulty equipment can easily incur injury even though it is very avoidable. It is good practice for employers to find reliable suppliers for replacements and repairs, as well as to keep a record of when items were purchased and tested before taking on big projects. Equally, employers should acquaint themselves with the government guidelines on how they should carry out equipment checks.
Manual Handling
When transporting heavy loads, employees are at risk of causing themselves harm. Employers are responsible for training staff to carry out their tasks safely, and for making use of equipment that lightens the load on the workforce, such as pallet trucks.
There are plenty of hazards out there in construction. But by following the guide above, you should be well placed to create a safe working environment for your employees.
