Construction sites are perceived as one of the most dangerous places, as they are predisposed to accidents and hazards. People who work at construction sites work in an environment where they have to deal with extensive tools and heavy machinery. Further, due to the nature of their work at these sites, workers are exposed to hazardous materials and circumstances where their lives are prone to danger, resulting in injuries and deaths.
Companies must take precautionary measures to ensure their workers’ safety by identifying common risks and potential hazards and providing plausible solutions to avoid them. Here, we discuss some of the most common construction site risks and ways you can prevent them.
Working At Heights
Workers on construction sites are most prone to fatal injuries due to falls, tripping, or slipping from heights. These include fixed ladders or scaffoldings of over six feet. Workers cannot entirely prevent these, as their work requires them to perform complicated tasks at raised platforms, but they can be avoided or made less dangerous.
Ways To Avoid It:
Companies should ensure their worker’s safety, especially when they are working at heights. Prior planning and strategies should be devised, so all the work is carried out safely, and where possible, working at heights is avoided. Furthermore, workers should be trained to perform elevated platforms; they should identify associated risks and know how to control exposure to them.
Companies should ensure all their workers have fall protection equipment and learn how to use it. For example, to decrease the chances of a fall, they should know how to use a safety net. Similarly, to minimize fatal fall risk, a scaffold with a double guard railing should be provided.
Construction Equipment
Heavy and large construction equipment is a norm for construction sites. However, they pose a serious threat to workers’ lives on site. Every year significant accidents occur due to equipment failures or movement, resulting in several deaths.
Ways To Avoid It
Protective measures against this hazard must be taken by employers to ensure their workers’ safety. The best way to overcome this risk is to make sure that your workers follow all the safety guidelines of a construction site.
Furthermore, workers must be aware of their surroundings while working. They should avoid working close to moving machinery, to prevent such accidents. Finally, workers must use all personal protective equipment (PPE), including high visibility jackets, to ensure they can be identified from afar.
Electricity
Construction sites are abundantly disposed of with bare electrical wiring, which is a cause of several electrical accidents.
Ways To Avoid It
Workers who directly deal with power lines and electric wiring should take all precautionary measures involving the use of insulation and protective equipment. Similarly, other workers must be careful around power lines and maintain as much distance as possible.
Collapsing Trenches And Excavation
This is another construction site risk that entraps workers resulting in serious injuries or even death.
Ways To Avoid It
While building a trench, site managers must plan, consider the best proper support, ensure it is well secured, and regularly inspect it for any flaws. Furthermore, both employers and their employees must follow appropriate safety standards and utilize protective equipment to minimize serious hazards during excavation.
About Taurus Projects
At Taurus projects, we believe that construction site activities must not, in any way, adversely affect people or their environment. We are committed to achieving this and have implemented comprehensive occupational health, safety, and environmental management strategies. These help us to perform within safety guidelines while allowing us to exceptionally execute our duties.