Do you hear the sound of heavy machinery? Do you see a lot of dust, mortar, and other materials around you? If you see such stuff in your surroundings, know that you are standing at a construction site.
We need houses to live, offices to work, schools to study, and industries for different operations. All these buildings need construction and assembling before they can be open for people. When we talk about construction, it involves heavy machinery, piles of sand, cement, iron rods, and many chemical substances. You cannot construct a building single-handedly. You will need an army of masons that can assist in arranging the bricks, running machines, moving massive blocks with a vehicle, and many other tasks.
Construction sites often have chances of accidents. It can even happen with minor negligence; many reports reveal that one of five deaths is of a construction worker. Safety is one of the priorities of modern construction management. Ensure that machines are correctly working, the lifter is not loose, and your laborers are wearing safety gear while working.
When you assume the responsibility of constructing a building, you also stand accountable for the safety and welfare of every construction worker on that site. The equipment that you use during construction also needs to go through a safety check to avoid any damage later on. Finding the right kind of stuff and the eligible person with the knowledge to operate it is no less than a task. If you are a constructor and looking for reliable machinery, visit https://www.ablesales.com.au/ to find the quality equipment and tools.
Indeed, hazards can happen anytime at a construction site because of multiple reasons. We cannot eliminate the risks, but we can take precautionary measures to avoid them. Here are a few suggestions for your assistance.
1. Train your employees
While hiring employees for a construction site, if they know the crucial tips and training, it is a bonus. If you are hiring freshers, it is essential to provide the necessary information about the dangers that can happen and safety measures.
Make your employees review the health and safety policy guides for the job they are going to perform. Provide them the information about the first aid provider at the site. Display this information in writing at various places on the site. Also, restrict your employees from using any equipment they do not know how to operate.
2. Crew meeting
Even if your construction team has all the experienced individuals, yet it is essential to hold safety meetings after a while. If you assign a high-risk work, hold the meetings daily, and guide the workers about the dangers and safety measures. Provide real-life and factual job-specific information to your crew.
3. Safety gear
While working on a construction site, it is not wise to ignore any safety gear. Safety gear is mandatory for every worker to stay safe from any mishap. Your basic safety kit shall include rubber gloves, preventive goggles, hard hats, high visibility clothing, and steel-toed shoes. These are essential for preventing any first-degree damage to your workers.
4. Maintain cleanliness
Common accidents at a construction site happen due to slips, falls, or excessive dust. Keeping your area clean and debris free can reduce the chances of injuries and mishaps. Instruct your employees to store tools and other working material in their safe place after every use. Keep walkways clear from debris to avoid slips and falls.
5. Warning signs
Anyone new to your site might not know about the spots that are slippery or greasy due to construction. Be it a worker or a visitor, place warning signs at visible spots to avoid any accident. Cordon off the no-go areas with ropes and pylons to keep people away.
6. Apply shades
Construction sites are more open to sunlight than any other area. Laborers working in scorching heat can become lethargic earlier, and thus they will slow down the work. Try to cover the areas with shades to avoid sunlight that can hinder the vision and cause physical distress to workers.
7. Have a backup
As much as we are taking precautions to evade any dangerous incident at the construction site, we shall still be ready. It is crucial to have a standby ambulance and workers. In case of a severe injury, you should have an ambulance available for quick medical assistance and taking your worker to the hospital. Instead of burdening your crew to perform two different tasks at a time, you can always designate another worker to replace the injured one.
Conclusion
Construction is a time taking task that requires attention, and it does not come without hazards. Unexpected incidents only increase stress and overall construction costs. These sites are prone to cause fatalities or injuries. It can result from the negligence of a worker, short-circuit in the lifter, a falling object, or debris. Slips and trips are common at such sites. Companies that are catering to construction projects can initiate a safety program to ensure the safety and well-being of their workers and reduce the damage cost.