Construction sites are a danger zone. We don’t think there is anyone who would think otherwise. Construction sites experience a disproportionately high number of fatalities as well. Do you know that five injuries happened in the US, one of them happening on a construction site?
It’s the responsibility of companies to ensure their employees are safe during reliable construction services. With so much discussion and new technologies introduced, it is sad to see that many companies still fail to keep their workers safe.
This is why we are discussing x safety strategies that reliable construction services should follow to avoid accidents.
Accidents can happen at any time and anywhere. This is why it is important for workers to wear personal protective equipment. Construction services should provide workers with the necessary tools to protect them from machines, falling objects, and environments. Construction sites have dust, large machines that produce continuous screeching sounds, and even particles flying around. This is why in PPE, every worker must have
a. Safety goggles
b. and Masks
c. Ear muffs
d. Safety vest
e. Hard hats
f. Steel boots
Together, all of this equipment can protect workers from various elements present on the site. However, it is important that all of these things are regularly checked and maintained. For example, masks should be checked for cracks, and even small breaks or hard hats should be checked for integrity. If any sign of damage is seen, then the equipment must be replaced instantly.
It’s understandable if workers, initially, are negligent and refuse to follow the practices. The key here is to make them understand the importance of these safety measures. Reliable construction services should give workers training and help them understand the hazards associated with each task. For example, if they are working on roofs of a home or a ladder, they can fall down, they can inhale chemical solvents that can cause respiratory diseases, or machines like forklifts can cause crushing injuries. Along with these, experts should also explain the OSHA standards for construction and how following them and these strategies can protect them. It’s simple: the better they understand how they are being protected, the more they will comply and follow them.
Just like how school trains students on how to act during shootouts or attacks, reliable construction companies should conduct regular drills and exercises to ensure the readiness of the workers. For this, reliable construction services should develop an emergency response plan that should clearly outline procedures for responding to events such as fires, natural disasters, and medical emergencies. For example, in the plan, it should be mentioned who will be the emergency response leaders, what the communication plan will be, how contractors will notify workers about emergencies (this includes setting the alarm), how fire extinguishers will be readily available, making workers learn CPR, and etc.
Always remember, “You can not manage what you don’t measure.” A reliable construction services must document every incident that takes place on the construction site. This also includes keeping a record of injuries as well as near misses. This will help them inspect and identify the flaws and problems. The findings can enhance safety management systems and processes, as the data will assist in creating more effective safety plans to prevent such incidents.
What if we tell you that you can identify and counter potential hazards before your project even begins? How is that possible? It is through comprehensive risk assessment. This includes going to the construction site, evaluating the location, and pointing out risks such as height, potential structure issues, machinery, and chemicals (that might be used in this project). This proactive approach will help reliable construction services to be prepared and tackle accidents effectively.
For example, during the construction of a single-family home, the workers are required to carry and handle heavy materials like lumber, drywall, and cement bags. If the construction site is bigger, during risk assessment, the experts can figure out that workers will need to take these things on back for a longer time. This can cause back injuries or trains. So, to prevent this, reliable construction services can use forklifts or teach workers lifting techniques. This will minimize the chances of accidents and risks.
Do you know what is the leading cause of death on construction sites? It’s falling. Yes, back in 2023, out of 345 deaths caused by falls, 96 of them were in the construction industry. This is why reliable construction services should implement safety measures such as:
a. Guardrails
b. Harnesses
c. Safety nets
d. Fall arrest systems
These measures can protect workers who are working above ground level. However, it is important to understand that installing and leaving them is not going to get the job done. Construction services should regularly inspect them, and in case of cracks, wear, and tear, they should be repaired or replaced so they can work effectively.
Safety strategies for construction sites are not easy to achieve. With risks all around, it takes a brain and a lot of effort to protect your workers while ensuring their work is not disturbed. Implementing these safety strategies can create a safer environment for everyone working on the site. These measures will help workers achieve project goals efficiently and safely.
Looking for reliable construction services that can take on your residential project? Connect with Born2Build today!