Construction work is one of the most dangerous types of work, workers are under constant threat of getting injured. Construction works include working and moving heavy machinery, climbing wobbly stairs, working on slippery surfaces, working at heights, etc. All these things require proper protective measures.
It’s common for construction workers to get seriously injured or even face fatal injuries in even advanced countries. Thus, construction workers need to take safety precautions while on site.
Here are five safety tips that construction workers must remember.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment
For construction workers, personal protective equipment (PPE) or safety gear can be the difference between life and death. Constructor workers face all types of threats like falling from heights, electrocution, getting hit by a heavy machine, hand getting stuck in a machine, hearing problems due to loud noises on site, skin issues by working with hot liquids, something sharp going into the eye, etc. In all these scenarios, PPE is the only thing protecting construction workers. You must assess what type of project you are going to work on and, for that, what type of safety gear you will need. High-visible clothing, boots, hard helmets, ear, and eye protective gear, gloves, etc., are all standard and necessary safety gear.
You can find the best protective gear in your area by searching online, and you will find amazing products. For example, suppose you are working on a project in Canada with a high chance of metal or wood shards going into your eyes. In that case, you can choose from the variety of prescription safety glasses Canada offers online.
Be Vigilant
In case you or someone else incurs an injury like a cut, for example, then the damage is already done, and while you cannot reverse that, you can still save your or another person’s life by acting quickly. You need to act vigilantly and be quick to get help. You must know what to do in a situation where someone gets hurt. You must know where the first aid kit is. When you are working in the construction industry, you will need a first aid kit. Make sure it is fully stocked with all the basic things needed. It must be someone’s or even everyone’s duty to check it daily if there is something that the kit is missing. The first aid kit must be easily accessible, so in case of an emergency, everybody knows where the kit is, and they can easily get to it.
Some minor injuries can be completely taken care of if a proper first aid kit is available. And major injuries can be prevented from becoming fatal. Everyone must look out for each other. All workers must make an emergency plan together so that everybody knows what to do, where to go, and whom to call in an emergency.
Be Cautious
The most obvious safety tip is to be cautious of your surroundings. On a construction site, there are a lot of things happening simultaneously. And this means there can be multiple hazards or safety issues in your working area. You have to keep an eye out and avoid every possible hazard you can find. There might be low-hanging branches, power lines over your head, worn-out underground pipes, or any other type of on-ground or under-ground obstacle that can prove life-threatening when you come in contact with it. So you have to watch out for these things.
If you find something is loose, the machine is not working as smoothly as usual, there are wires on the wet floor, some tools are getting stuck and not working properly, etc., mark such things and make sure that you or anyone else doesn’t use these things. Go with your intuition. When you feel something is out of place and can pose a threat, avoid using it and stop others from using it.
Follow All Safety Guidelines
It’s a no-brainer that all safety guidelines are literally for the protection of construction workers, but sometimes construction workers can themselves become ignorant. This can lead to serious consequences. As a construction worker, you must know all the safety rules that apply to the project and site you are working on since every site has different sets of safety rules. Sometimes workers want to get things done quickly, and for that, they ignore following safety procedures. This can cost more to both employees and employers instead of doing any good.
In case an accident happens due to ignoring safety guidelines, it results in delays in completing the project, wasting the workers’ time, energy, and productivity.
Be Careful With Ladders and Heavy Equipment
Climbing on and off ladders and getting in and out of heavy machinery and equipment are things that are a part of every construction worker’s daily work routine. And these are the things that contribute to the biggest risk factors or hazards like falls and slips. To make sure you deal with heavy machinery safely, never jump or hop into or out of the equipment like big vehicles, etc. Similarly, it’s preferable to use stepladders to get into heightened equipment. Be extra careful when using a ladder.
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It’s necessary to have three points of contact when you are climbing up or down a ladder. This means both your feet and one hand or both hands and one foot must be touching or in contact with the ladder at all times. If you have to carry tools while climbing a ladder, carry them in a tool belt; never hold sharp or heavy tools in a hand while climbing the ladder simultaneously. Also, it’s very important to keep regularly checking if the machinery, vehicles, and equipment are all working properly. Even if you don’t use a specific machine for a day or two, check if it’s working properly beforehand.
Conclusion
Working in the construction industry is a difficult task. There are many health hazards in construction work and plenty of ways to incur an injury or even face serious consequences. The best way to avoid any harmful situation is to focus on your and everybody else’s safety. Go through these five safety tips that you must always remember to ensure you are protected.
