Remodeling your home can be all fun and games until it comes down to the construction site hazards. Construction is one of the most popular yet the riskiest industries, considering the on-site dangers. Involving humans and heavy machinery together can cause some severe life-threatening risks for construction site workers.
It involves physical injuries and some internal health conditions as well. The constant use of electric power tools and electricity exposure keeps the construction workers at the risk of electrocution and other power tool injuries. Construction workers can also suffer from hearing problems due to the hazardous noise levels at the construction site. Moreover, the construction site is supposedly significantly filled with particles such as asbestos and lead. Inhaling these particles can be extremely dangerous to the point that they can even kill the workers. Other issues include breathing problems due to bad air quality, unexpected falls when working at height, hairline injuries from slips, and poorly lit workspace. More severe problems include getting diagnosed with occupational cancer or hand and vibration syndrome.
Below, we have pointed out some general tips’ construction workers can follow to avoid construction site injuries.
1. SAFETY GOGGLES
Due to the constant exposure of gasses, light radiation, dangerous particles, acids, and vapors, eye injuries have become common among construction site workers. Therefore, workers need to wear protective eye shields when welding, cutting, or working with concrete. Manufacturers now provide removable and impact-resistant side shields especially designed for construction site workers. Side shields are a known and proven tool to keep the eyes safe when doing such high-risk jobs.
2. HEAD PROTECTION
Wearing safety helmets or hard hats is also very important for construction workers because there is always a head injury risk. The material used for these helmets includes Polyethylene and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. It enables them to protect workers from pounding head injuries. Hard hats can also protect workers from accidents due to head contact with electric tools.
3. PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR
As made from steel and aluminum, safety footwear is usually shoes or boots with slip-resistant and puncture-resistant soles. These protect construction workers from slipping or tripping at the cluttered construction site. Furthermore, when working around heavy machinery pieces, shoes with toe caps can prevent workers’ toes from squashed. Many fatal injuries happen because workers often become lax in wearing proper protective footwear. Hence, homeowners or managers must stress the importance of wearing protective shoes and boots at the construction site.
4. EAR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Construction sites are likely to be the noisiest places ever. The noises created by heavy machinery and power tools can be sufficiently damaging to the ears. So much so that people can lose their hearing. It is especially dangerous for construction site workers to present throughout and get directly exposed to such noises. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can prevent construction site workers from damaging their hearing. Earplugs, custom made to fit worker’s ears work even better in such a situation.
5. REGULAR EQUIPMENT CHECKS
Apart from workers wearing proper personal protective equipment, it is also necessary to regularly check on all machinery and other electric tools used at the construction site. Using broken or malfunctioned machinery can also put the lives of the workers at risk. It can lead to severe accidents and, sometimes, even fatal injuries. Therefore, it becomes essential for both the workers and their employer to regularly inspect equipment used at the construction site regularly to ensure it is not defective.
6. DISPLAYING SIGNBOARDS OR POSTERS
Another crucial precaution to take at the construction site is displaying clear signs to warn about any danger ahead. Public visitors or family members often visit the location unannounced, making it vulnerable. The delicate or slippery floors can result in deadly incidents. One can gauge what construction site risks and dangers for the workers and the public. Putting up signs in the form of posters and signboards can warn everyone of any hazard ahead. It could credibly reduce the number of accidents at or near the construction site.
7. TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
We are living in a fast-paced and technology-driven world. Today, nearly every other business depends on the use of technology in some way or the other. It can arise from communicating with clients via a digital platform to entirely operating your business online. The storm of digitally advanced industries is slowly overtaking those still stuck in the traditional way of doing business. There are certain smartphone apps specifically designed to ensure the lone worker’s safety. These are excellent tools for an emergency. They include an SOS button, panic button, low signal mode, check-ins, and other safety monitors to ensure safety and protection. Some of these apps also send a ‘man down alert’ when a worker does not move for a given period. These are some significant and helpful advancements in technology to ensure the worker’s safety at all times.
PRIORITIZING PREVENTION
Finally, ensure that the workers have adequate training for their job and health and safety. It is the employer’s responsibility to not hire any untrained worker with no knowledge about this profession. It is a must that workers know the risks associated with their health and take extra precautions every time they are present at the construction site. Besides this, having basic knowledge about first aid and basic life-saving tricks and techniques is also necessary.
CONCLUSION
No job is worth the risk of losing your life. Construction might lead to making big money, but it’s a risky industry. If you are an employer, you are always at the risk of losing your employees – your most important and valued investment. If you are an employee, then your health is still at risk. Taking full and proper precautions becomes mandatory when the job becomes difficult (remember, a construction worker’s job is never easy!). Hopefully, the above tips and techniques will provide a better safety guide for construction workers to take while on-site.
