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Articles Weekly Construction Safety Topics

Weekly Construction Safety Topics

Principal Author / Publisher:Safetyhow Admin
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In the summer of 2010, 33 miners in Chile learned the importance of safety training as they were trapped a mile underground. Specifically in construction jobs, there are dangers all around. Beams can fall from overhead, tools can cause dismemberment, and excavations can leave a worker buried in debris. To keep your employees safe, start a weekly newsletter or a podcast and give tips on important safety topics.

Why Accidents Occur

A tool like a hammer doesn't seem dangerous on its own. However, when it is used improperly it can be dangerous. A worker enthralled in a conversation with a co-worker can easily smash his finger. Improper use of saws and other more dangerous tools can cause dismemberment. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries advises "Every accident is caused by a breakdown in one of four areas: the worker, the tools used, the materials used, or the methods used." Inform your construction team of behaviors or common missteps that lead to accidents.

Protecting the Public

It's likely that during a construction project, pedestrians or motorists will need to get around, walk through, pass over or pass under a construction site. Innocent civilians can be injured by stepping in an uncovered hole or being struck by falling debris. Accidental death is the last thing anyone on a construction project wants. There are also lawsuits filed due to injuries caused by not preparing for the public. Educate your team on steps to take to insure untrained civilians aren't injured while just trying to get to their next destination.

Traffic Control

A flagman is often assigned to direct traffic around a construction site. Signs are also necessary to warn motorists that they are approaching a construction site. Without signs, a speeding motorist can plow head first into workers injuring the workers and themselves. Teach your construction employees how to direct traffic.

Recognizing Unsafe Conditions

The best method of staying safe on a construction site is being able to recognize dangerous conditions. In the book, "Introduction to Health and Safety in Construction" by Phil Hughes and Ed Ferrett it states: "If risks cannot be eliminated, they are minimized by the use of physical controls or, as a last resort, through systems of work and personal protective equipment." Empower your team to identify situations that could spiral into disasters before they happen.

Protective Clothing

Dressing appropriately for a construction job means comfort while working as well as safety. Most workers reach for old clothes that they don't mind damaging, but this habit isn't always the best. Clothes with rips and holes could leave bare skin exposed. Worn shoes could lead to a dismembered toe. Not wearing protective glasses while welding could lead to a loss of an eye. Train employees to dress for the natural elements and the environment within a construction zone.

Working in Confined Spaces

Sometimes a construction worker has to crawl into a tight space to put in the last nut and bolt on a project. The worker may also have to get to an area that is beneath an immovable foundation. Any carelessness could lead to that foundation collapsing on that employee's chest. Train employees how to beware of oxygen deficiency and toxic substances Also discuss how to avoid getting crushed.

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