Construction workers are always in an environment that contains serious hazards that can lead to injury, if not worse. Heavy equipment is operated while workers are elevated, using hazardous materials. At all times, the construction job site is tricky for those who work there.
With awareness of these dangers, we can protect the personnel and work to prevent accidents. This is the message that the Rosenbaum Injury Law Firm’s construction accident attorneys like to share with the public.
What Are the Main Hazards on Construction Sites?
Falls from Heights
When employees climb ladders, work on scaffolding, and/or work from rooftops, the risk of falling becomes serious. Safety nets and guardrails are two ways to protect workers and reduce risk. Employees must be fully trained to use these safety features, when working at heights.
Struck-By Incidents
Danger to employees can also arise from moving vehicles, machinery, and falling objects that can unexpectedly strike a worker. A few simple measures can be taken to prevent struck-by hazards, like proper storing of materials, ensuring visibility, wearing an adequate hard hat, and proper communication on-site.
Electrical Hazards
Electricity can be a hazard, through electrical shocks and electrocutions, especially when working around energized conductors, ungrounded equipment, and faulty tools. OSHA safety protocols for working with electricity recommend using insulated tools, grounding equipment, and utilizing lockout and tagout procedures when performing electrical maintenance.
Caught-In/Between Hazards
If a worker becomes caught inside components of machinery or caught between objects when heavy machinery is involved, the result will be crushing injuries. The worker may be unaware of the dangers, and by implementing proper machine guarding and training employees on how to safely work around heavy machinery, the likelihood of an employee being injured in this way can be significantly reduced.
What Other Factors Put Workers at Greater Risk?
Long-term exposure to hazardous chemicals: asbestos, solvents, and paints. Although these chemicals can be properly labelled and have handling procedures in place, the additional pressure to reduce workers’ exposure is on proper PPE usage.
Slips, trips, and falls are common occurrences on job sites, especially when working on uneven ground with clutter and unclean surfaces. Being attentive to housekeeping and cleaning up spills immediately will help reduce slip, trip, and fall injury claims.
Environmental factors such as extreme heat, cold, or noise can eventually take a toll on an employee’s safety and health.
Key Takeaways
- Falls from heights need comprehensive fall protection systems and employee training.
- Struck-by incidents should raise awareness and vigilance regarding vehicle operations, heavy machinery, and securing loads.
- Electrical hazards require compliance with OSHA safety regulations when working on or near energized electrical equipment.
- Caught-in/between hazards require machine guarding to comply with the operator’s safe working procedures.
- Environmental, along with long-term and short-term hazardous materials, require attention to safety, health, and proper communication.
- Proper on-site communication, hazard recognition, and training to implement appropriate workplace behavior will all lead to safer working environments and reduced injury claims.
