Working on a construction site can be dangerous, especially if you don’t take the necessary precautions. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most important construction safety tips to help you stay safe while working on a construction site.

What is the Importance of Construction Safety?

Construction is a hazardous profession. Every day, workers are injured on the job. Some injuries are minor, and some are life-threatening. 

It is essential to follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of construction employees. We will go over 11 important construction safety tips in this guide.

Potential Hazards to Construction Workers

On construction sites, electrical dangers are a major cause of mortality. A common electrical hazard is the use of extension cords. Extension cords can cause fires, explosions, and electrocution. Be sure your employees are properly trained on how to handle extension cords and any machine that has a high voltage.

When it comes to construction workers, falls are one of the major causes of serious injuries on the job. Falls can be prevented by taking several steps including:

• Make sure workers use proper footwear
• Properly train and equip workers
• Keep all work areas clear of debris
• Train workers to recognize and report warning signs of falls
• Provide a safe work environment
• Monitor workers’ health

Construction workers can come into contact with harmful chemicals and suffer several respiratory risks. The following are examples of such dangerous chemicals: Tar, sawdust, paint, epoxy, mould, and many others.

The following are some of the respiratory risks associated with construction chemicals:

1. Eye, skin, and respiratory irritation
2.  Anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction)
3. Emphysema (long-term lung damage)
4. Asthma
5. Other respiratory conditions
6. Decreased lung capacity
7. Sudden death

Machinery can be hazardous to your employees and your project. Having the right tools and well-trained workers can help you avoid these risks. If you use an unsupervised machine or equipment make sure you have a competent operator.

11 Construction Safety Tips

1. Invest in Your Workforce's Training and Education

If you are training your workers in construction, it is important to make sure that they know the proper safety procedures and work with them.

The best way to keep your workers and clients safe is to have a construction safety program in place. This will help everyone know what to do if there is an emergency or if a worker is injured.

2. Establish an Efficient Safety Program

In addition to ensuring your workers are equipped with the right safety gear and supplies, you also need to be vigilant about enforcing safety practices. Important precautions for the safety of your employees include the following: 

• Conduct a compliance check: OSHA offers compliance guidance in its Field Operations Manual. Ascertain that your organisation complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry-specific requirements.
• Train your employees: To stay in compliance, make sure your workers know and follow safety rules. Remember to reinforce good practices with regular training. You can find OSHA’s online, state-specific safety courses.
• Keep up with the most recent developments in safety: Keep up to date with the latest construction safety news by subscribing to a company newsletter, reading trade publications, and monitoring industry news. 

3. Regularly Inspect Equipment and Gear

Inspect your equipment and tools to make sure they are working and that they are in good condition. This will help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

4. Safe Use of Heavy Equipment Requires Proper Training

When working with heavy machinery like cranes and forklifts, do not allow workers to operate these machines without the proper training. If your workers are using machines, they should have the proper training and they should be safe. If they are not trained, you should not allow them to operate the machines.

5. When Working with Chemicals, Take All Necessary Precautions

If you have chemicals on site, make sure your workers are safe when using them. This includes wearing the proper protective gear, properly storing the chemicals, and following safety procedures. 

When working in construction, it is important to wear different types of clothing and work-related gear to protect yourself from the hazards of construction. 

For a comprehensive internal audit for your workplace safety, check out our Interactive PDF, covering safe practices from Fire Emergency to storage and use of chemicals.

6. Being Able to Communicate Clearly is Crucial

As a construction company, you must communicate with your employees about the construction site. You should always be clear about what you are planning to do and what the employees should do. 

You should also be clear about what you are not planning to do or what the employees should not do. If you don't communicate with your employees about the type of construction being done, they may assume that they can do what they want, and this can cause safety risks.

If you are unsure of how to communicate with your employees, ask your supervisor, but you should always be transparent about it.

7. Use Modern Technologies

About 96% of U.S. adults have access to a mobile phone, with 81 percent having a smartphone. Due to the widespread availability of mobile devices, people are now able to communicate more quickly and in more depth than ever before.

SafetyIQ Journey Management Software

SafetyIQ is a great solution for the construction industry. It includes powerful features like journey management, digitised risk management, integrated communication, and more.

SafetyIQ is a cost-effective, easy-to-use management solution that helps small, medium, and large construction companies to manage their remote workforce. 

The SafetyIQ system enables remote workers to manage real-time responses and decrease the number of driving accidents, injuries, and inconveniences.

To Know More About SafetyIQ Or Request A Free Demo, Click here.

8. Safety Glasses

For eyes, safety glasses or eye protection provide full eye coverage. These are either impact-resistant or shatterproof. There are also many types of eye protection to choose from.

9. Use Respirators

Respirators protect employees from respiratory hazards. These hazards include dust, fumes, gases, vapours, and irritants. Respirators must be certified by a third-party contractor.

10. Comply with Recommended Practices for Electrical Safety

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that companies in the construction industry should be familiar with electrical standards. Here are some of the electrical safety guidelines to follow:

• Do not use extension cords.
• Keep extension cords away from water.
• On all electrical outlets, install a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
• Keep electrical connections free of debris.
• Keep electrical cords away from moving machinery.
• Check that all electrical equipment is grounded correctly.
• Do not use a ladder to work with electrical equipment.
• Do not work with a wet electrical cord.
• Do not work with damaged electrical equipment.

11. Possess the Necessary Safety Equipment and Supplies

Safety tools and supplies aren’t just an investment. They’re an essential part of your safety program. Make sure your workforce is protected by acquiring the necessary gear. At the very least, you should have fall protection equipment on every job site. 

It’s estimated that nearly half of all construction workers are injured because they fail to use fall protection. The ladder should be visible and easily accessible. The crew should be aware of its whereabouts in case of emergency. If your workers can’t reach the ladder, they can’t climb up safely.

Keep a first-aid kit on hand, and make sure that you’re prepared for emergencies. You should also have personal protective equipment on the job site. 

If your worker is exposed to hazardous materials, you need to know the signs of exposure and what to do in case of a chemical spill. You should always assume the worst-case scenario when dealing with chemical accidents.

Conclusion

Even though working in construction might be risky, there are measures that can be taken to reduce that risk. You need to ensure that your employees have access to the necessary safety equipment and training and that your safety policy is being strictly adhered to. The above construction safety tips will help to reduce the probability of injury to workers.