Ten Tips for Preventing Injuries on Construction Sites

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Ten Tips for Preventing Injuries on Construction Sites

There are nearly 250,000 construction sites in the United States, with over 6.5 million workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA), the rate of fatal injuries in the construction industry is significantly higher than the national average for all professions.

These injuries can be caused by falling from heights, unexpected building collapse in whole or part, electric malfunctions, hazardous materials on site, and fire, among others. Accidents are more likely to happen if proper preventative care and protective steps are not put in place. In such cases, the injured party should seek proper legal representation from a reputed and experienced firm such as Goldberg & Dohan, who will help you “get paid and get back to living.”

While it is important to get a strong legal team in case of an on-site injury, there are several things workers and their supervisors can do to prevent and minimize construction site accidents. Some of the common steps are as follows:

1.      Wear protective gear: It is very important that all workers on site be equipped with industry standard personal protective equipment (PPE). These include hard hats, well-fitted gloves, slip- and puncture-resistant boots, and safety glass and face shields, among others.

2.      Construct proper scaffolding: Erected on a solid foundation, scaffolding must be properly constructed and should be able to carry four times the maximum load besides its own weight, without any bending or settling. All scaffolds should have toe boards and guardrails.

3.      Take care on the stairs: Stairways are a major site for tripping, falls and slips. It is imperative to keep stairs and walkways clear of all hazardous materials and debris. Any staircase with more than four risers should have at least one handrail.

4.      Correct use of ladders: According to OSHA estimates, every year sees almost 25,000 injuries because of falls from ladders and stairs. It is imperative that workers use properly inspected ladders that have been designed for specific jobs to avoid injuries. Ladders should not be overloaded and should be completely secured before use.

5.      Be aware of all construction equipment: A construction site is replete with gear of all shapes and sizes. From hovering cranes to compactors, electrical saws to drilling equipment, each element can be fatal if not used properly. It is essential that all equipment be inspected and checked for damage so as to avoid unwanted accidents.

6.      Proper communication about hazardous materials: Workers are exposed to a range of hazardous materials on site, from acid, paints and flammable liquids, to bio-hazards. To prevent any side effects from such exposure, the site should have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical being used and train its workers to comprehend the information. Additionally, workers should wear protective gear, learn how to clean any spills, and be able to properly handle any accidental exposure to the chemicals.

7.      Exercise electrical safety: Electricity is an intrinsic part of a construction site and can be the cause of major injuries. To avoid such accidents, make sure that all electrical tools, equipment and wires are regularly inspected for defect, maintained well, and removed or replaced when damaged. It is imperative that overhead electric lines be located and clearly marked so as to avoid electrical accidents.

8.      Prevent fire hazards: All construction sites should have a fire safety plan, with clearly marked exit routes. Since construction sites can be very loud, it is important that fire alarms should sound at a level that can be heard by all workers.

9.      Forestall falling materials: Both workers and passers-by can be hurt by falling debris, loose equipment or collapsing materials from a construction site. To minimize such risks, the construction company should create clearly marked hard-hat zones and covered walkways. All equipment must be secured and maintained properly. Additionally, all debris should be cleared immediately and disposed in a responsible manner.

       Watch out for the traffic: Since construction sites use different kinds of vehicles, from concrete mixers and cranes to heavy-duty trucks, it is important to create an intelligent traffic management system so that workers don’t get hit.

Using these tips for preventing injuries on construction sites will go a long way towards keeping workers safe, but if you are injured on-site, make sure that your interests are protected. Hiring a topnotch law firm like Goldberg & Dohan, with their extensive experience, will help you get the compensation you deserve.