8 Ways to keep your construction site safe

Compared with all other jobs, workers at the construction site face the most dangerous hazards. Construction workers handle heavy machinery, electrical lines, fire hazards, fall from heights, and the sudden collapse of building structures. So, the construction employees at the site must follow all precautionary measures and standard safety rules to be safe.

Because of unexpected accidents at the construction site, construction employees need to face the danger of losing their lives or permanently disabled for life. Safety measures at the construction site must be the priority for project managers in the construction industry. Here are the important measures to keep your construction site free from hazards and dangers.

Wearing PPE:

Wearing personal protective equipment protects construction employees from fatality and long-term injuries. Equip everyone with safety goggles, helmets, knee pads, and high-visibility safety jackets. Normally, construction workers wear safety goggles, high-visibility safety jackets, and safety harnesses at the construction site. Every construction employee must wear relevant PPE related to their work on site.

Correct Scaffolding:

Pay extra care to erect scaffolding on the stable ground without any shortcuts. To eliminate the risk of collapsing, build it with a solid footing. Correct any inconsistency or damage in the scaffolding structure immediately. Scaffolding safety training for all employees who work on scaffolding is a must.

Safety Training:

Construction workers in risky environments must have adequate safety training. With their knowledge of safety measures, they know the risk involved while working at heights, in confined spaces, and with heavy machinery.

Give them training on the first aid given before taking the injured to the hospital and practical knowledge of life-saving techniques used during an emergency. Update regularly on the latest procedures followed in standard safety and security measures.

Attending training sessions on safety would help them to practice safety procedures at the construction site effectively. Working in an environment where serious injuries and fatal deaths can prominently happen, knowledge of safety procedures will prevent workplace injuries and save lives and earnings.

First aid:

Most of the construction sites are now equipped with a first aid box with enough medicines for immediate use. Everyone must have easy access to first aid kits in case of any minor injuries. Workers with serious injuries need first aid before taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

Using Signages

Construction sites have potential hazards/risks not only for construction workers but also for others who visit the site. So, it is important to display information about probable hazards and risks with signboards.

In addition to safety protocols, signages share information on dangers and hazards 24/7. Brightly-lit signages display contact numbers, facilities, a map showing directions, facilities, emergency numbers, and both entry and exit points of the site. In construction sites, custom metal signs remain sturdy in the harsh climate.

Weather-resistant, attractive, and affordable with their bright colours and vibrant text, they display information on hazards and risks. Highly visible custom metal signs with lights warn potential risks or dangers to everyone. With awesome online tools like Canva and Create Signs, anyone can create, design and print custom metal signs in Australia.

Inspecting Tools and Equipment

Regular inspection of equipment and tools prevent unexpected accidents and injuries. Properly maintained construction equipment improves safety at the construction site and completes the construction work on time.

Engineers at the site must ensure that the construction employees properly use equipment and tools to work safely. Construction employees while starting their work must check if their helmets, gloves, and work boots are clean and in place. Employees must carefully get in or off while using a piece of equipment.

Communicating Clearly:

The headsets, walkie-talkies, and smartphones help to communicate faster with the supervisors during emergency situations. Explain everyday activities clearly and warn if any potential hazards exist at the site. Any potential risk at the site must be shared with everyone to prevent the risk of injuries. Train construction employees to use modern safety techniques in case of any potential hazards or dangers. Hiding accidents and injuries will not help anyone.

Building Awareness:

Every construction worker must know about the potential hazards and risks at the construction site. Anyone at the site may fall from heights or get struck by an object or caught between pieces of equipment or electrocuted.

Regular training sessions on safety must update information on using modern safety techniques and how to handle risky situations better. It is the responsibility of the site managers to check if all workers working on site know about safety measures and how to report any hazards or risks immediately to their supervisors.

Take care to install safety systems to save workers from falling. Install safety nets, safety cords, guardrails, and personal fall arrest systems before starting the work. The work area must be free from debris and clean. The floors at the site must be dry and well-lit. Even while doing simple tasks at the site, workers must remember to wear their helmets without fail.

Conclusion

Many safety and health hazards and risks prevail in the construction site. Working at heights, working in confined spaces, demolition, contamination, machinery and excavation happen at the site.

Safety measures must strictly be in place to reduce injuries, accidents, and deaths at the construction site. The construction workers have a thorough knowledge of safety issues and safety programs to reduce accidents and injuries.

Construction workers must use the correct equipment under able supervision. It is also important for them to inform their supervisors if they come across any potential risk or hazard at the construction site.

Liam is a blogger and marketing specialist dedicated to marketing communications in the digital age. He enjoys traveling the world and meeting new people!