6 Health & Safety Risks in Construction

Today, the construction industry is witnessing fatality rate more than double that of the average all sectors. Minor accidents are also more.

Simply put, construction sites are a health and safety nightmare. In this way, almost every possible hazard exists within this constantly changing working environment.

But the hazards associated with construction sites are eminent. In order to avoid such hazards, you need to use good quality scaffolding materials.

These scaffolding provide support to the workers on construction sites. In order to get good quality scaffolds, you need to contact a reputed supplier who offers services like scaffolding material on hire.    

A few of the main hazards are listed below – 

1.      Working at Height:

The construction of building or demolition works frequently needs tradesmen to work at height.

Each year fatalities and injuries involving height relating factors account for many accidents.

The risks associated with working at heights are often increased by added access and mobility restrictions.

2.      Moving Objects:

A construction site is an ever changing environment and hazards are very common in this industry. As things rise and expand, hazards only increase as a construction project progress.

Construction sites become dangerous with constantly moving vehicles.

3.      Slips, Trips, & Falls:

It seems hardly surprising when you consider a wide range of activities going on at a construction site. Slips, trips, and falls may happen on an almost daily basis.

In construction sites, one can witness holes in the ground, buildings at various stages of completion, scaffolding, stored materials and equipment.

You really do need to keep eyes in the back of your head.

4.      Noise:

Noise is a major hazard within the construction industry. Repetitive, excessive noise causes long term hearing problems.

It can be a dangerous distraction and can cause major accidents as well.

5.      Electricity:

During refurbishment work on commercial and domestic buildings, three construction industry workers are injured each year.

Those people who are working near overhead power lines and cables are also at risk.

6.      Collapse:

Every year large buildings collapse and seriously injure people working in them. Henceforth, before the work starts precautions need to be planned.

The risk of an unintentional collapse is generally more associated with demolition works or when a partially completed building or scaffolding collapses.

However each year it still accounts for a percentage of fatalities.

Conclusion:

Falls are the top cause of death on construction sites. Other common causes of death on construction sites include:

·         Being caught in an object or between two objects

·         Electrocution

·         Being struck by an object

So one needs to be very careful when working on heights and you have to take extra precautions as well.  

About Author:

Baba Jagta Shuttering supply the shuttering and scaffolding material for the construction of mega projects like housing societies, IT buildings, malls, multiplexes, factories at very competitive rates.

We provide major services like scaffolding on hire. We provide Cuplock System, Prop, Span, Channel, U-Jack or Base-Jack etc on HIRE.

Precaution to be Taken During Building Constructions

Construction work is somehow dangerous. However, if someone takes appropriate precaution, then they can avoid many dangerous accidents.

While working in hazardous conditions, workers also need to keep in mind a lot of precautions themselves. Proper use of safe scaffolding materials can be of great help.

Also, the construction owners do need to take care of the safety and security of their workers.

Now look at the safety measures that every construction worker need to take:

1.      Double-Check Your Work Areas:

Scaffolds are an essential part of most construction sites and are also associated with a high number of injuries. While working on them, you should take care of your safety first.

The scaffold must be inspected properly by a professional or a competent person. Never work on an incomplete scaffold that doesn’t have a strong base or platform.

Ladders are other essential construction site tools. You have to check the ladder thoroughly before using it. If you find any part of the ladder unstable, then don’t use it.

A ladder should be of proper strength. All the slabs of the ladder should be secured properly. You need to properly secure the upper and lower end of the ladder.

2.      Be careful with Electricity and Equipment:

Construction sites need a lot of electrical installations. Lifting equipment mostly involves electricity and weights. You need to follow the safety precautions listed for the equipment.

If you don’t know them, you can seek help and instructions from a site supervisor or co-worker who has worked with the equipment before.

If you’re using plugged-in portable devices, like grinders or drills, you need to check that the cables are protected, and the power supply is provided with an earth leakage circuit breaker.

Do not allow the electrical tools to come in contact with water. Also don’t stand or work immediately below a heavy suspended load.

You need proper training before operating some equipment. Any error can cause a major accident on the site.

3.      Maintain Fencing and Prevent Fires:

Notice the number of fatal injuries and falls that happen in areas where there’s no fencing.

Dangerous areas with broken and damaged fencing should be avoided until they’re completely repaired or a proper fencing is in place.

Be alert and take some measures to avoid them. Open flames need to be kept away from construction sites because of the presence of flammable materials.

4.      Protective Apparel and PPE:

 Factory and construction site owners are supposed to provide their workers with proper protective gear and clothing.

Well-fitted helmets and protective eyewear are a must. While dealing with toxic chemicals, you need to wear ear plugs, muffs and protective gloves.

Anti-slip footwear and protective apparel are essential for those working in toxic or dusty environments.

Fall harnesses are very essential for every construction worker. When you’re working at heights make sure that your harness is strong.

At sites where there’s a lot of movement of heavy vehicles, workers need to wear highly visible clothing so that they can be located and seen easily.

5.      You need to keep First Aid Close:

The site supervisor and contractor should make sure that first aid is always accessible to the workers as it is not possible for workers to carry first aid supplies with them all the time.  

Basic first aid for cuts, minor burns, and falls should be always available on site. So you can provide required medical assistance to the workers immediately.

This is beneficial to the employer, as well, as this makes sure that after resting for some time, the worker will return to his work.

Some injuries when treated immediately help in limiting the damage immensely and prevent infections from spreading.

Conclusion:

A construction worker should be careful all the times. During an emergency always follow instructions.

If you notice any hazardous situation, such as a floor opening that’s open or not fenced, then immediately inform your co-workers and supervisor.

About Author:

We’ve marked our name in the list of top-notch organizations by providing best scaffolding rental services.

Scaffoldings are widely used in industrial, commercial and residential construction projects. With well experience in the same industry we’re supplying quality products to our clients.

How to be a Safety Leader in the Workplace - A quick look

Workplace safety isn’t just important as of legal and liability reasons, however having healthy and happy workers should be a topmost priority for any employer.

Now check out some ways to be a great safety leader in your workplace.

1.      Push Sick Time Usage:

It may sound crazy to encourage workers’ using their sick time; however many times employees come to work with serious health conditions.

This puts everyone in the office at risk. From a health viewpoint, it’s better to allow these employees to stay home and take the day off, or let them to work from home.

2.      Daily Cleaning and Maintenance:

One of the leading causes of work-related injuries is slips and falls.

You should be a daily monitor for any shared spaces in the workplace to ensure that unsafe obstacles are cleaned up or removed in a timely manner.

The likelihood of an accident is reduced to a greater extent by keeping the place clean and ordered.

3.      Securing Your Workplace:

Another good way is to limit unauthorized individuals from entering your workplace. While working, giving a safe and secure entry to work would give you and your employee’s a better peace of mind.

4.      Prepare for Emergencies:

Believe it or not, before they reach the hospital about ninety percent of cardiac arrest victims die on their way to the hospital.

Having emergency equipment in the office, i.e. a defibrillator helps save a person’s life.

5.      Get Informed:

It’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure that you’re informed of & have access to all relevant safety standards for your industry.

Don’t make assumptions that you’re being told everything that you need to know.

6.      Stay Equipped: Keep your safety equipment in good order and up to date.

7.      Be an Agent of Culture Change:

The wrong attitude about safety is infectious. You can use your influence to highlight the importance of safety & everyone going home safe and happy at the end of the day.

8.      Set an Example: the first principal of any leadership role is to practice what you preach.

9.      Be Your Brother’s Keeper:

If you see someone who’s going to do something foolish, speak a word to them. They can harass you about it, but you will be glad at the end of the day for watching out for your co-worker.

10.  Safety Training and Drills:

Be a leader by training and promoting all employees. It should be done so that they can manage life-saving techniques.

By the time it takes for emergency personnel to reach your business, a life could be saved by you or one of your own employees if they’re properly trained.

You must take your time as a leader to train employees on evacuation and emergency procedures as well.

In addition, you can make sure that you and all employees know the Occupation Health and Safety Act (OSHA) so that you remain agreeable with the guidelines.

This would keep employees safe and thereby reduce liability in the office.

Conclusion:

Today, workplace health and safety departments have evolved into something else entirely.

Safety planning has become a must-have activity for corporation to defend organizations and their employees.

About Author:

Baba Jagta Shuttering is a well known supplier and manufacturer of high quality scaffolds. We offer affordable services like scaffolding on rent.

We believe in offering safe, high quality scaffold. It can be customised according to the specific demands of the customers.

Our high quality scaffolds give optimum flexibility in desired scaffolding operations. Our scaffolds are used in both commercial and residential projects.