INJURIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES: PREVENTION AND RESPONSE

Construction sites are notoriously dangerous places to work, with a high incidence of major construction-related injuries and accidents. Despite making up just 5% of the workforce in the UK, construction workers are responsible for 27% of all fatalities and 10% of all serious injuries. Falling from height, electricity, exposure to harmful chemicals and other musculoskeletal ailments are just some of the risks construction workers face. Many on-the-job mishaps may be life-threatening or tragic.

There are several risks on a building site and a high chance of harm, so taking all possible precautions to prevent accidents is critical. There are several advantages to reducing accidents. Construction accident help is not only a moral obligation, but it will also decrease your insurance costs and lead to a reduction in downtime. Employee morale and productivity will soar if they are confident that their safety is adequately guarded. Having a good safety record and minimizing workplace injuries can also help your company’s reputation, making it a more attractive place to work.

PROTECT WORKERS ON THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Tips to bear in mind while you’re thinking about reducing the danger for your employees:

 

• First And Foremost, Be Conscious Of The Risks!

 

Before starting a project, you should undertake a risk assessment to identify and mitigate potential hazards. A risk assessment takes a close look at the workplace to identify possible dangers. A written evaluation is required by law for every business with more than five employees.

After the risk assessment has identified the dangers, the following stage determines the best way to deal with them. To safeguard your employees against the risks you’ve placed, you may use this information to create a health and safety strategy.

 

• Maintain Your Tools And Equipment Properly

 

Your machinery must be in functioning condition at all times. A documented record of when each piece of equipment was last examined or serviced, as well as an inspection schedule, should be maintained. Many industrial accidents have happened due to poorly maintained tools and equipment. It is sad.

As a safety precaution, you should urge your personnel to do a brief check on any equipment or machinery they intend on using. If there are any maintenance difficulties, these should be brought to management’s attention immediately as soon as possible.

 

• Maintain A Clean Work Environment

 

Another prevalent cause of construction accidents is when employees are injured by a fall or slip because they trip over debris. To prevent accidents and injuries, all paths must be clean of rubbish. All staff should be online with this, and a standard of cleanliness should be enforced across the workplace.

When you’re done working, put away all of your equipment and supplies in their proper locations. The area should also be labeled “Wet” if there is a spill and cleaned up as soon as possible.

 

• Meetings On Safety Should Be More Regularly Scheduled

 

If you’re engaged in high-risk activity, such as highway construction, you should have safety meetings regularly, if not daily. If you’re having safety meetings, you shouldn’t simply be reading from a booklet full of dull and generic safety advice. Instead, get input from your team on the dangers they perceive in their current working conditions. You may then discuss finding the best method to prevent these dangers as a team. Safety knowledge that can be put into practice in the workplace is always more helpful.

 

• Protect Yourself By Donning The Appropriate Safety Gear

 

Ensure that your staff is wearing the proper protective clothing for the work. Educate your team on the importance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), provide it free of charge, and enforce the need to do so. Your staff will be less inclined to wear PPE if it’s unpleasant or damaged, so make sure it’s well-fitting and in excellent shape. You can foster a workplace culture that promotes health and safety by rewarding workers who wear their safety gear and disciplining those who don’t.

FINAL VERDICT

A construction site’s accident rate may be reduced in various methods, not all of which are included below. An accident-free workplace is feasible with the proper training, commitment, and attention. Your insurance rates will drop, and your downtime will be reduced as a result of this, as well as the morale and motivation of your personnel.