Despite the numerous safety standards enforced on construction sites, the potential for hazardous incidents remains. Nevertheless, workers can take proactive measures to avoid these risks by being aware of typical hazards.
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1. Improper Scaffolding Use
When scaffoldings are not built or operated correctly, they might pose a risk to the personnel who are performing construction work. At any given time, scaffolding is utilized by two million construction workers. Scaffolds are constructed to be elevated to considerable heights; therefore, a defective scaffold can represent a risk of a fatal fall.
Scaffolding accidents are much too prevalent on construction sites, and they can take the form of a collapse or a fall. Employers in the construction industry should ensure that their employees are protected by wearing a body harness. Moreover, workers should receive enough training on using scaffolding under the criteria established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
2. Improperly Maintained Stairways
Handrails must always be present, and steps must be devoid of any liquids or residue that could cause slips and falls when performing construction work that involves a flight of stairs. Inadequate safety precautions are responsible for approximately 25,000 injuries that occur annually due to slips and falls on stairways and ladders. It is recommended that temporary construction on stairways be erected at an angle of thirty degrees and that treads made of wood or another non-slip material covering the entire step be included. This will reportedly ensure that employees are better protected.
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3. Electrocution
Two of the most significant dangers in the workplace are electrical wires and powered-up machinery. For workers who have yet to receive the required safety training, the apparent dangers they face include accidental contact with exposed or hot wires and inappropriate operation of powered machinery. To prevent electrocution and burns, your formal safety program must mandate that employees don PPE and protective gear, including face shields, gloves, boots, and long-sleeved garments. Additionally, electrical accidents can be reduced by delineating areas where powered equipment operates and maintaining a safe distance from power lines. It would be best if you ensured that all the electrical equipment is turned off and powered down to the appropriate level.
4. Air Contaminants
Construction workers are frequently subjected to various pollutants on the job site, including dust, fumes, vapors, gasses, and other substances. Inhalation of these pollutants occurs through the mouth and nose, the most common entrance points. The ingestion of harmful airborne particles is another factor that must be considered in safety practices despite being less common. A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010 found that more than half of all construction workers reported at least two exposures per week to such pollutants. Thus, providing personnel with the proper barriers to prevent potential diseases and injuries is made feasible through planning for contaminants.
5. Hazardous Materials Exposure
Chemicals, asbestos, and lead are hazardous materials frequently used on construction sites. Exposure to these drugs may result in either immediate or chronic health problems. Employees must get training in how dangerous products should be handled, stored, and disposed of. Moreover, it is essential to provide workers with adequate ventilation, suitable PPE, training on PPE, and periodic monitoring to protect them from exposure. By adhering to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and using engineering controls, including local exhaust ventilation, it is possible to further reduce the hazards connected with hazardous compounds.
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