Safety — What comes to mind when you hear someone talk about safety procedures, precautions, hazard assessments, etc., in a construction zone? How many of you are rolling your eyes right now?
Safety is part of our everyday lives; we automatically assess risk and hazards every time we decide to do something. Whether we are driving a vehicle, having a toddler visit, living in our home, or crossing the street; all these everyday things take thought, planning, and execution of safety procedures. We are just so used to making these decisions, it has become a habit. Why should building a house or an apartment building be any different? How many of you automatically put on a seatbelt once you get into a vehicle, or look both ways before crossing a street? So, how different is it to put on a hard hat or check your extension cord for damage before plugging it in?
It is doubtful many of us enjoy a trip to the hospital or watching a friend or co-worker get hurt on the job, especially when most situations resulting in a hospital visit could have been prevented. Whether you are working on a residential or commercial construction site, safety should be your #1 priority.
Here are some important safety measures to consider and implement on your commercial and residential construction sites.
1. Safety Training Program – A program to train all levels of site workers is a great way to manage the risk of a hazardous environment. Teaching those to be able to identify hazards, prevent incidents, as well as training in an emergency plan reduces the risk of injury.
2. Communication – Communicating with all persons who enter the site about the risks, hazards, rules, and procedures, is the first line of defense when trying to reduce the risk of injury or property damage on your site. Various methods of communication to include, which can be combined:
Signage – Proper and clear signage quickly communicates the requirements and risks when entering a site. The more signage the better.
Site orientations – This is another method of providing the necessary information to those entering the site.
Documents – Documents for potential delivery drivers or workers sent prior to commencing work on the site gives these folks a head’s up as to what to expect before they arrive.
Regular Toolbox Meetings – Toolbox an safety meetings serve as a reminder of current or new hazards that may arise or exist on the site.
3. Electrical Safety – Making sure underground and overhead electrical lines are well marked and safely covered to prevent damage and serious injury is a necessity. Workers should always keep a safe distance away from these lines.
4. Security – Security is not just about preventing theft, but also reduces the risk of people and/or animals wandering onto your site that shouldn’t be there and potentially causing them harm. Having fencing, gates, and cameras adds an additional level of safety to your site.
5. Chemical Storage and WHMIS – Knowing what products you are using on a site, how to identify them, and how to treat anyone who uses them incorrectly is key to keeping a worksite safe. Storage and use apply to chemicals, as well as tools.
6. Assessing Potential Hazards – Before starting work, in any area and even after a break, one should assess the risks of injury, just as you would check your tires before going on a road trip.
7. Storms – Preparing for severe storms can reduce not only property damage due to flying debris but injuries to those inside and outside the site as well. Preparation should include clear procedures as to when work is to stop and how to handle emergency situations if caught in a severe storm.
8. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) – Most job sites post signs, but at the end of the day, losing a finger or an eye does not quite maximize one's quality of life and can inhibit your ability to earn a living. Wear the glasses, put on the gloves, and use the proper equipment to protect yourself.
9. Avoid Working Alone – Most commercial sites have procedures in place for situations where workers are performing tasks alone. Although most of us do not think much about it, working alone poses unnecessary risks. High-risk activities that can escalate a treatable injury to a possible fatality can include working from heights, handling cash, working with or around electricity, working with hazardous products, or equipment. All these situations can lead to an injured worker not receiving the treatment they need and introduce an unnecessary risk of injury.
At the end of the day, making safety a priority and part of your work culture will guarantee project success and ensure everyone gets to go home at the end of the day.
Stay Safe.
Tara Cook
Assistant Project Manager
tara@tateengineering.com