Construction Site Safety

Scaffolding

Scaffolds are an integral component of most construction sites. More than two million workers utilize them each year. When used as intended, they can save time and money. The majority of the individuals hurt in  scaffold incidents  report that the accident occurred due to improper assembly of the unit or the employee slipping or hit by a falling object. Below are the four primary scaffold hazards and actions that can minimize accidents.

Safety Measures

Using materials meant for scaffolding is critical. Concrete blocks, loose bricks, barrels, or boxes are inappropriate and hazardous. A person familiar with and trained for the proper assembly and use of a scaffold under the specific conditions required can help ensure that the structure can do the job for which it was intended. Other steps that improve worker safety include: Ongoing inspection of scaffolding

Replacing accessories such as ladders, braces, trusses, brackets, and screw legs when worn or damaged

Using components that are sound, rigid, and able to hold their own weight plus four times the intended load

Equipping each structure with safety features, including toeboards, guardrails, and mid rails.

Falls

Construction site falls are one of the most common causes of serious injury on a worksite. OSHA safety standards require fall protection for heights of ten or more feet. General contractors often prefer to exceed safety margins by requiring fall protection beginning at six feet. Fall hazards can occur when scaffolds are used or erected improperly, but that is not always the case. Human error and unexpected events can result in a fall.

Fall Protection

In addition to guardrails, mid-rails, and toeboards on scaffolds, various safety equipment can make a worksite safer. Using elevated platforms or aerial lifts, body harnesses, and safety net systems can further reduce injuries and fatalities. It’s not only from an elevated surface that falls occur on a construction site but also stairs and areas with a slick or uneven surface. Adding treads on walkways and stairways and handrails on stairs that rise more than 30 inches reduce trips, slips, and falls.

Electrocution

Construction workers account for a significant number of electrical injuries every year. They are four times more likely to be electrocuted than workers in other industries and is one of OHSA’s Fatal Four hazards in the construction industry. Wiring methods, general electrical requirements, and lockout/tag-out are among the most common safety violations on a worksite. Injuries most often occur when there is direct contact with a power source. However, the number of injuries resulting from indirect contact with electricity, such as when dealing with control panels, junction boxes, transformers, and light fixtures, is high also. Many of the workers on the construction site who suffer electrocution injuries are not electricians. They are roofers, service workers, and general laborers.

Electrocution Prevention

Controlling contact with electrical current is one of the most effective ways to  reduce electrocutions. One way to do that is to prohibit work on new and existing circuits unless all power is shut off and grounds are attached. Identifying overhead power lines, using extension cords with grounding prongs, and prohibiting multiple plug adapters can also improve safety on the worksite.