Safety Tips for Construction Safety

Construction workers are put in harm's way during a large portion of their workday. Working around a variety of hazards requires a conscious effort to keep safety at the top of the priority list. This is not only important for the physical well being of the workers but for the liability concerns of the construction company. Following some basic safety tips on the construction site will help prevent unnecessary injuries and loss of life.

Fall Prevention Tips

• In the past two decades there have been thousands of construction workers killed in falls on the work site, according to AHealthyMe.com. Whether the accidents happened on a rooftop, a ladder, scaffolding or another area, many of these deaths could have been prevented with some forethought.

  Make sure all personnel who will be working in these areas are trained in the proper use of their equipment. Be certain that the maximum weight specified on the equipment is not exceeded and conduct thorough inspections of all equipment before each shift.

  For roofers, checking for the presence of unsecured tiles or shingles can save lives. Roofers may slip on a loose shingle and take a deadly fall from atop a building. Make sure guardrails or a sturdy protective screen are in place at skylights to also prevent falls.

Disperse Crowds

• Equipment operators at construction sites are in charge of safely maneuvering heavy machinery, often in tight spaces. These giant machines can do considerable damage if they come in contact with a person. Keeping unnecessary workers clear of the work area will minimize this injury risk.

  Workers can often be found standing around a hole watching a backhoe scoop out the earth even if they are serving no purpose. For safety, disperse the crowd around the working area to keep the crew safe and to make the operator's job far less stressful, according to ForConstructionPros.com.

Avoiding Toxins

• Be aware of any toxins in or around a work site. Bridges and tunnels are often coated in paint from years ago that contain high amounts of lead. Workers in these situations should have lead levels in the blood checked regularly to ensure no overexposure is happening, according to AHealthyMe.com.

  Tar fumes from paving jobs, roofing and waterproofing can lead to eye, skin and breathing problems. Make sure that all workers exposed to these fumes are wearing protective gear such as goggles, masks and gloves when working with these toxic materials.

  Stonecutters should be equipped with a respirator to avoid lung disease caused by inhaling silica from dry cutting. The same equipment should be provided for workers spending time around asbestos hazards.

Proper Lifting

• Preventing back injuries may be as simple as going over the basics of proper lifting techniques with the crew. If the crew will be lifting heavy objects, they should know to stoop down and lift the weight with their legs instead of putting the strain on back muscles.