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Construction Safety & Schools

Construction is a highly hazardous industry that requires a tremendous number of safety precautions to prevent serious accidents, injuries and fatalities. Safety efforts for construction projects that occur on school premises are especially critical because young students become vulnerable to the many known -- and inconspicuous -- hazards that pervade the construction zone.

  1. Struck-By Accidents

    • The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration says that struck-by accidents are a leading cause of death in the construction industry. A struck-by is an incident that occurs in which an individual is accidentally hit by flying or falling objects, a construction vehicle or moving equipment, or pieces of a structure that is being demolished. To avoid accidental struck-by incidents on school property, construction zones must be taped off and measures taken to prohibit access to students. To determine the parameters of the construction zone, the project manager must figure out where struck-by incidents are most likely to occur and factor in additional space to provide an extra measure of safety.

    Toxicity Hazards

    • During construction projects, workers are exposed to an array of substances that can become toxic in large quantities or with poor ventilation. Paint and construction glues are examples of substances that can lead to toxicity poisoning if exposure is severe enough. Accordingly, when toxic substances are to be used in construction projects, schools must ensure that students remain a safe distance from the materials. For instance, if one of the buildings on campus requires all new paint, the school may have to shut down that building until the paint is dry, or else students can become exposed to hazardous fumes. Another important toxicity hazard to consider is asbestos. Asbestos poisoning can be fatal, and the removal of asbestos must be done in a strictly controlled environment that is blocked off from any school personnel or students.

    Equipment Safety

    • Students will pass by construction equipment that is left during breaks or overnight. It is imperative that students do not go near the equipment or attempt to turn it on. In fact, OSHA regulations state that power equipment must be shut down, brakes must be set and safeguards must be locked when equipment is left unattended. Using safeguards ensures that equipment cannot power up on its own, and it discourages unauthorized users from trying to turn the machinery on. In school construction settings, it is critical that construction workers do not neglect the equipment by forgetting to lock it up at the end of the shift. Failure to use proper safeguards can result in crushed fingers, amputated limbs and mechanical burns.

    Noise Hazards

    • Extreme volumes of noise can become hazardous to students in school who are close to the construction zone, especially during demolition jobs. As such, construction managers should inform school officials of a particular day that noise levels will be extremely high, so that teachers can keep students inside the classroom or move students to an area of the school that is removed from the noise. Extreme noises can have a negative effect on children's hearing abilities, so it is important for this measure to be taken.

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