How to Prevent Common Industrial Dangers and Construction Hazards

Are you worried about construction hazards on your worksite? Perhaps you dealt with a workplace injury or a workplace hazard.

Regardless, you can prevent construction and industrial damage with safety procedures and adequate training. Further, commence regular maintenance measures to detect early damage. Also, industrial and construction managers should craft safety plans to address workplace dangers when they occur.

This article will highlight the dangers of industrial and construction sites. Let’s explore.

Industrial Dangers

Fire damage is the most common threat within industrial workspaces. Fire can damage equipment and cause electrical shortages. It can also degrade vital infrastructure, leading to high replacement costs. More importantly, fires can endanger workers.

The fire and the heat can cause long-lasting damage to the skin. Clothing can also catch fire, especially if crew members wear loose clothing. When dealing with chemicals, a fire can emit harmful toxins that can cause injury or death.

Example: Fire can emit acrolein fumes, causing breathing difficulties. Victims can also suffer from permanent lung damage.

Fires can emit other fumes, such as carbon monoxide. The fumes also have lasting ramifications beyond industrial sites. Toxic smoke can make residents sick.

Fire damage may also spawn chemical leaks. The spillage can seep into rivers and drinking supplies. Moreover, spills can harm nearby wildlife and marine life.

If environmental contamination occurs, companies could spend millions of dollars in cleanup costs. Companies could also face lawsuits from residents and local officials.

Fires cause immediate damage in the form of explosions. The explosions can kill or injure anyone in the vicinity of the blast. There are two common types of explosions within the industrial sector: dust explosions and gas explosions.

Gas explosions usually occur when flammable gas seeps into the air and contacts an ignition source. Dust explosions occur when combustible materials and explosive powders collide.

Further, the shockwaves can cause underlying damage to infrastructure and equipment. The shock could even lead to a building collapse. The force can also cause shards of broken glass to fly in the air.

The Solutions

Overall, industrial hygiene can prevent disaster and mitigate fallouts. You may be wondering the following: what is Industrial Hygiene? It’s a practice that helps managers preserve the health and wellbeing of workers. An industrial hygienist will inspect the worksite and identify various hazards, such as:

• Air contaminants
• Engineering faults
• Chemical dangers
• Malfunctioning tools and equipment

From there, the hygienist will recommend the appropriate course of action to remedy the issues. For example, the industrial hygienist will convey how to prevent industrial fires.

If the inspector detects a fire hazard, they may stress the importance of proper storage. Above all, store the materials in places with plenty of ventilation. Also, adhere to state regulations regarding the storage of flammable items.

Plus, label all hazardous items. Certain labels will also designate the right storage temperatures.

However, safe storage isn’t effective if you store large amounts of chemicals in a single locale. Instead, consider two key steps:

When dealing with fluids or gases, maintain minimal levels to prevent large explosions.

If storing large amounts of hazardous substances is necessary, store them in separate locations.

In the event of a fire, you also need a viable safety procedure that minimizes the damage. Install fire extinguishers where necessary. Conversely, ensure that all water taps and valves are functional and accessible.

Make sure all equipment and machinery are up to par. Conduct regular maintenance checks to spot flaws early. Non-destructive testing (NDT) allows users to detect more flaws in less time. If left undetected, minor flaws can cause catastrophic damage.

You can also hire NDT companies to train maintenance crews. Moreover, ensure that all crew members are aware of the safety procedures. Implement a central training program that helps workers know how to handle industrial hazards.

Construction Dangers

Construction worksites contain the same dangers as industrial work sites. For example, industrial crews and construction crews should have safety measures for forklifts.

Forklift accidents can cause serious injury or death. Around 100 workers die each year from forklift-related mishaps. Forklift fatalities usually occur when the forklift overturns.

Also, construction sites and industrial sites can contain the same types of flammable materials that cause fires and explosions. With that, there are some hazards that are more common on construction sites.

Falling hazards are one of the most common dangers within the construction industry. Falling dangers usually entail scaffolding incidents. Most often, scaffold accidents happen when crew members don’t erect them properly.

Example: Crews may use bricks or concrete blocks to support the scaffolds.

In other cases, workers may misuse the scaffolding and slip. Scaffolding can also cause electrical damage when installed near power lines or power generators.

Falling objects are another problem, especially when workers don’t wear hard hats.

The Solutions

A hard hat can protect your head from falling debris, especially heavy objects. Hard hats can also protect your hair from common hazards in the form of dust, debris, and wires.

All personnel should inspect the hats routinely. Look for any signs of wear, such as cracks or dents. If a heavy object contacts the hat, inspect it immediately. In most cases, you should replace a hard hat if it undergoes a heavy blow.

When it comes to scaffold falls, crew members must confirm if it’s rigid enough to support the additional weight. A sturdy scaffold should support the weight of the scaffold itself. It would also handle four times the weight of the projected load.

Also, instill guardrails and toeboards to foster easy navigation.

To prevent forklift incidents, operators should maintain the units regularly. Tire checks are especially important, as the treads can wear easily.

The tires may also damage when brushing against other objects. Besides maintenance, managers must also instill forklift training procedures for all operators.

How Can I Prevent Construction Hazards?

Proper training and regular inspections can prevent construction hazards. When dealing with flammable chemicals, store them in a safe location. Also, label them to foster effective communication on the worksite.

Construction safety isn’t only about prevention. Safety in construction also addresses hazard control. Have a safety procedure in place in the event of an accident.

Interested in reading more? Read more on our website to gain insight into other construction-related topics.