General Construction Safety
July 23, 2020
Serious injury or death is a risk when a construction worker steps foot on a job site. Hazards can exist in manySerious injury or death is a risk when a construction worker steps foot on a job site. Hazards can exist in many places, from ladders and scaffolding to powers tools and heavy machinery. All workers on a construction site must work together to prevent injury and death, from the foreman all the way down the work chain. Everyone is responsible. The construction industry includes a diverse array of working environments. No two construction job sites are the same. Here are a few ways to practice safety on a construction site.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Wear suitable clothing to include long pants and short-sleeved shirts, minimally.
- Wear adequate footwear.
- Hard hats, safety glasses or goggles must be used when a potential hazard exists.
- Use hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs) in high noise areas.
Housekeeping
- Always store materials in a safe manner. Tie down or support materials, if necessary, to prevent falling, rolling, or shifting.
- Shavings, dust scraps, oil or grease should not be allowed to accumulate. Good housekeeping is a part of the job.
- Trash piles must be removed as soon as possible. Trash is a safety and fire hazard.
- Immediately remove all loose materials from stairs, walkways, ramps, platforms, etc.
- Do not block aisles, traffic lanes, fire exits, gangways or stairs.
Other general safe work practices
- Avoid shortcuts – use ramps, stairs, walkways, ladders, etc.
- Do not remove, deface or destroy any warning, danger sign or barricade.
- Do not interfere with any form of accident prevention device provided for use or that is being used by other workers.
- Use proper lifting techniques with heavy or bulky materials to avoid injury personally or damage to material.
- Do not use tools with split, broken or loose handles, or burred or mushroomed heads. Keep cutting tools sharp and carry all tools in a container.
- Know the correct use of hand and power tools. Use the right tool for the job.
When working on a construction job site always wearing the proper protective equipment, being trained properly and following safety guidelines can reduce the risk of injury or death. Always use your training and if you have questions or don’t know how to use a tool, ask your supervisor. Being prepared can save you or others from getting injuried on the job.