Working in construction involves managing heavy equipment and performing tasks at greater heights, in sometimes arbitrary weather conditions.
The resulting hazards mean that foremen and site managers are required to train and secure employees in accordance with health and safety rules.
Dangerous conditions make working in construction one of the most perilous. The simultaneous work of several teams, protruding structural elements, sharp equipment and heavy tools often expose a worker to injury. Therefore, not unsurprisingly, national regulations must be strictly observed. The consequence of not following safety regulations on construction sites can result in some of the following incidents:
stumble
falls
a fall caused by an object falling from above
neglect use of tools or equipment
fall from a height
pulling down
Construction workers affected by the above-mentioned accidents most often perform duties related to the handling of building materials, renovation or demolition of existing buildings, including:
wall structures
masonry and demolition
reinforcement and pouring footings
plastering
heat insulation of external walls
roofing
Organization of the workplace is most important for both employees and possible pedestrians who may be passing through in the vicinity of a construction site. Ignoring this rule results in lawsuits from bystanders and workers compensation cases from the workers.
Every work zone should be gated and marked with warning boards, but also equipped with protective railings on the edges of ceilings and ground level faults. On open construction sites, it is worth installing special protective canopies or separating danger zones when the site is located near other buildings.
On some railings, a crossbar should be installed to reduce the risk of falling. In addition, the coordinator supervising the work must agree with the construction team on the plan of cooperation in the event of potential threats and actions to prevent them.
An employee on a construction site should be dressed in long trousers, a protective reflective vest, and shoes with an insert and a non-slip sole. Moreover, a construction worker should be equipped with protective glasses, heavy gloves, and in the case of exposure to increased noise – soundproofing headphones or earplugs. Protective helmets are also essential – they will not only identify the employee, but also protect their head against falling objects.
Construction workers work in very tough conditions – on steel structures, scaffolding and roofs. To lower the risk of workers falling on construction sites, every height-related safety kit should come with a harness and a shock absorber with two cords, which would secure equal distribution of forces during a fall and reduce the risk of injury to the worker.
Working in the construction industry is one of the hardest jobs in the world. The expansion of science and technology can eliminate many of the dangers in this the work environment. Taking shortcuts, doing away with procedures, and taking unreasonable risks may result in an accident or illness.
Read more:
How to Safely Secure a Construction Site in 2024