Introduction
The construction sector is infamous for being the most hazardous industry to work in. As per OSHA, almost 50% of site accidents occur due to four problems –
- People getting struck by objects while working
- Falling from a massive height
- Getting caught in-between tools or equipment
- Electrocution
Due to this reason, creating a proper safety culture has become a must for everyone working in the construction industry. For that, you have to instill a set of rules in your system. Let’s keep reading to learn more in this context.
A Guide To Implementing Safety Measures
As a project or construction manager, the responsibility of taking the correct precautions will fall upon you. This way, you can keep your employees safe from unnecessary risks and protect your organization from legal hazards.
Here’s how you can keep your construction site safe –
Rule – 1: Ask Everyone To Wear Protective Gear
The set of protective gear will work as the last line of defense while dealing with a situational hazard. For example, it’ll mitigate the damage from falling, protect your eyes from constructional elements, and safeguard your feet.
According to Fall Protection Experts, your protective gear set should include –
- Durable hats,
- High visibility jacket,
- Eye protection or goggles,
- Gloves to protect hands, and
- Safety boots.
Besides, you should also use a face mask to avoid inhaling dust or other harmful elements available in the constructional ecosystem.
Rule – 2: Use Fall Protection
According to OSHA, aside from vehicle collisions, falls in the construction industry are the leading cause of death and fatalities.
Therefore, to protect yourself and your employees from such incidents, you will need to install guardrails alongside a self-retracting lanyard in your infrastructure.
Besides, we’ll also ask you to use a full-body harness if you’re considering working at the height of 80 meters or more.
Rule – 3: Safety Training
Only using a gear set and installing a fall protection system wouldn’t be enough for you. Besides, you’ll have to make everyone aware of the calamitous nature of the construction industry. Here’s how you can do that –
- Offer a course of safety training.
- Point out high-risk areas to your employees.
- Provide instructions regarding emergency management.
- Proffer site-specific inductions.
Rule – 4: Create An Exit And An Entry Point
If you’re using heavy vehicles or machinery for your site construction, you’ve to create a separate entry and exit point for them. This way, it’ll be easier for you to avoid unnecessary pedestrian-related accidents during the high traffic points.
Rule – 5: Make A Separate Chemical Storage
If you are using chemicals on your site, you will also need to store them carefully. This way, you can minimize explosions, fires, asphyxiation, chemical pollution, and injury ideally.
For storage, make sure to use a compliant, high-end storage solution to segregate chemicals properly and reduce the risk of spillage.
Rule – 6: Keep A First Aid Solution In The Worksite
As a norm of the construction industry, you’ll need to hire at least one first-aid specialist per 25 employees. First-aid equipment and kits should also be kept in such places so that you can access them quickly.
A well-designed first-aid kit should contain –
- Scissors and tweezers.
- Crepe-rolled and triangular bandages.
- Large, medium, and small sterile gauze dressings.
- Thermometer (keep a digital one if possible).
- Antiseptic cream.
- Distilled water to clean wounds.
- Sticky tapes, safety pins, and cleansing wipes (alcohol-free).
Keep a basic manual or instruction booklet alongside your first-aid kit to make it more convenient for your employees.
Rule – 7: Use The Correct Equipment
Like your dress, a single tool will not fit every occasion properly. Therefore, using the right equipment for your purpose should be your primary concern. It will help you get your job done quickly and make the working ecosystem much safer than before.
For example, when it comes to working on a construction site, we’ll ask you to use 110v equipment only. You should not use a 240v tool if the management hasn’t approved it before commencing the project.
However, if you have to use these tools for some reason, make sure to take proper safety precautions prior to that.
Conclusion
Managing a construction site and everyone else’s safety can be a challenging task. Therefore, we would ask you to keep an eye on whatever’s happening all the time. Besides, you should also take as many precautions as possible. Take the help of a specialist if needed.
Making even a minor mistake on a construction site can lead to severe injuries. So, try to avoid it as much as possible.
