The importance of safety on a construction site
People expect to be able to work in a safe environment, but some lines of work are more dangerous than others. Construction is considered to be one of the most dangerous industries, along with agriculture, fire and rescue, and similar jobs.
Construction workers can be killed or injured on sites. One of the most common hazards on a construction site is fall risks, as people work on roofs, scaffolding, ladders, and areas that aren’t properly supported. People can also get trapped, caught in fires or explosions, or injured through muscle strain or difficult working conditions.
However, many of these dangers can be mitigated. This can prevent injuries and damages, which is better for the workers and the construction company alike.
Employee training
The primary reason to aim for a safer construction site is for employee safety. A lot of the responsibility for a safe site also rests on the shoulders of construction workers. Many preventable accidents are caused by human error, which can be lessened by proper training.
If your employees are using large or dangerous equipment, such as power tools or heavy machinery, they need to be properly trained in the safe use of that equipment. This can prevent accidents, and it also results in better and more efficient work. Poor training doesn’t just lead to injury, but it can cause damage to the equipment and the materials on the site.
Your employees also need to be trained in evacuation procedures, so that if there’s a fire or another hazard on the site, people can leave quickly and safely. Finally, it’s beneficial to have at least one person on-site (or more depending on the size of the project and the team) who is trained in first aid. So if someone is injured, they can be treated as quickly as possible. This can save lives and reduce recovery time.
Handling legal matters
Another reason to maintain a safe site is to make sure that you aren’t liable for any damages. If an employee is injured on the construction site and it’s because the company was negligent, then the company is at risk of being sued.
Provide personal protective equipment for your construction workers so that they can work safely. Keep the site as clean and tidy as possible, reducing any hazards. Do risk assessments of potentially dangerous areas and jobs and keep your employees informed.
Accidents may still happen, but if you can prove that your company did what it could to provide a safe workplace, the financial damage will be lessened.
Another potential legal issue is if people trespass onto the construction site. Even though they aren’t supposed to be there, it can cause legal issues if they get hurt or killed on the site. If nothing else, the investigation will slow down the project. Also, while some people trespass just to see what’s going on, some people may try to steal tools or equipment.
Installing construction security measures can prevent people from going onto the site without your permission. CCTV allows you to watch what’s going on, and trained security guards can deter intruders.
