Construction Industry Safety

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in which to work. As a result, safety is a primary priority in the minds of construction businesses throughout the world. The statistics highlight the need for safety measures in this sector. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, about 8 percent of workers in the United States are in construction, but account for 22 percent of the fatalities reported for industry sectors.

Law

• The law protects employees at work.

  The Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in 1970 to protect employees by stating that employers have a legal obligation to provide their employees with a safe working environment. This is especially important in construction, as there are a number of hazards and risks to site workers that are experienced every day. So the company must be diligent in adhering to the law and providing a safe site on which its contractors and workers can carry out their duties. The OSHA has published legal requirements that define how employers must protect their staff, entitled "Safety and Health Regulations for Construction."

Risks

• Heavy plant and machinery can crush construction workers.

  There are a number of hazards and risks that site workers are exposed to on a daily basis. Those working in the vicinity of heavy machinery risk being crushed by excavator arms or run over. Electrocution is a risk for those working near live cabling that could result in severe injury or death. Some chemicals also provide a risk if allowed in contact with the skin or ingested, in which case serious damage can be caused. There are also risks that do not have fatal or severe implications. Those include vibration white finger, caused by too much use of vibrating equipment; or temporary hearing loss, the result of working in a high-noise environment without adequate protection.

Safety Equipment

• A hard hat is essential for preventing head injuries.

  The most basic pieces of safety equipment that a site worker can utilize are steel toe-capped boots, a high-visibility jacket and a hard hat, all meeting the latest industry standards. Some may wear eye protection and dust masks if exposed to dust, while others might also wear ear protection if in a high-noise area.

  Those working at heights over 6 feet must be working on a platform that has handrails, to prevent falls. Those working at increased heights will use harnesses to tether themselves to the structure of the building, so they do not fall if they slip.

Training

• Workers should be trained to avoid hazards.

  Another way to help avoid hazards in the construction industry is to train all staff to identify, avoid, then minimize risks wherever encountered, thus reducing the chances of sustaining an injury. The OSHA has a Construction Industry Safety and Health Outreach Program, which assists instructors in providing training to employees and site workers. Training must be maintained and regularly updated to ensure all site workers have the required knowledge to help keep safe on site.

Dangers

• Compensation claims can be very expensive.

  Employers who are found to be negligent and, through this negligence, have caused a site worker under their responsibility to sustain an injury or fatality, will suffer massive damage to their reputation. This will lose investor confidence and deter potential clients. This, coupled with large compensation claims, could cripple a small business and cause it to go bankrupt. For this and other reasons previously stated, safety in construction is of vital importance.