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How Can Employees Reduce Workplace Injuries in Construction?

Working in construction can be dangerous. Heavy machinery and hard working conditions lend to a higher need to ensure that the workplace is safe. Implementing a construction site safety plan is necessary, but making it work can be tricky. Ensure that your employees are aware of what is required of them in terms of safety and educate your employees about safety procedures to reduce workplace injuries in the construction zone.

  1. Inspection of Scaffolds, Ladders and Tools

    • According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the most common workplace injuries at a construction site come from faulty scaffolds, ladders and tools. To reduce injuries in these areas, make sure that your employees inspect all scaffolds, ladders and tools before using them. For scaffolds and ladders, instruct your employees to inspect the structure to ensure that it is sound and secure; the scaffold or ladder should not wobble or sway when it is in use. Further, do not keep dangerous objects, such as boxes of nails or power saws, around the ladders or the scaffolds. Inspect all tools before use; make sure the tool is in good working order. If the tool is electrical, make sure that the cord does not contain any exposed wires and that the tool runs smoothly when it is turned on. Replace any scaffold, ladder or tool not meeting these requirements and do not use them.

    Fall Protection

    • Many times, construction workers must work at such heights that a fall would result in serious injury or death. For this reason, educate your employees on proper fall safety techniques and ensure that your employees are wearing and using all fall safety equipment. This includes showing your employees how to properly wear safety harnesses and how to use safety clips and webbing to protect them if they fall. In addition, your employees must wear helmets at all times on the construction site.

    Other Safety Protection

    • In addition to the above, teach your employees about other general safety techniques. Properly train all employees in the use of heavy equipment. Once trained, instruct your employees to follow basic, common-sense approaches to operating the machinery. For instance, if an employee is assigned to use a fork lift, teach the employee how to properly use the fork lift. Once trained, the employee will be able to operate it safely. Tell your employees not to drive at an excessive rate of speed or use the fork lift in a way that it was not designed to operate. The same holds true for other heavy machinery such as dump trucks, cement mixers and cranes.

      Further, provide eye protection (such as goggles or glasses) to your employees and instruct them to wear these items at all times. Require that gloves and boots be worn while on site. Construct guard rails and fences around holes and other dangerous areas. Post signs to alert employees of potential hazards.

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