When a construction project is in the phase of being built, it’s never as safe as the final outcome. You’ll often have floors with no walls, heavy equipment running and manual labor performing multiple jobs at the same time. Without some type of safety measures, a construction site would be a place of danger.
Fortunately, there have been many improvements and changes regarding construction sites and how to make them safer. Here are five ways that a construction company can help reduce accidents and injuries from occurring to workers.
Follow Current Safety Regulations
Safety regulations for construction sites are put in place for a reason — to minimize and hopefully eliminate on-site accidents. While following these regulations can sometimes be a pain, they are necessary reminders that help keep workers safe. It’s vital to follow current laws and keep up to date with any changes that are made.
For example, in 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) came out with new standards that allow more flexibility when choosing fall protection systems for workers. They also came out with a regulation associated with the safe distance between workers and an unprotected roof edge. It stated that a suitable fall protection system must be used if a worker is less than 6 feet away from a roof edge that’s unprotected. Staying up-to-date with this change in safety regulations ensures that workers stay safe and your business avoids lawsuits and fines.
Invest In The Latest Gear
Another way to keep a construction site accident free is by equipping workers with the latest gear and clothing. In the past, workers were equipped with ordinary boots, a vest and helmet. Times have changed. Now, sturdy work clothes are available as well as protective equipment and secure helmets.
Instead of wearing just ordinary boots, a worker can now equip themselves with boots that have a steel plate. This helps stop the penetration of outside objects coming through the sole. In addition, new technology provides protection all over the boot, which prevents injury from impact. For just a small investment, workers can avoid costly injuries.
Utilize Drone Technology
Drones have become an efficient way to assist with data analysis and mapping of a construction site. They can also be used to monitor and survey the activity and progress of a structure. This provides the ability to help check and see if regulations and standards are being met.
By utilizing a top-down view of a commercial or industrial building, it eliminates the requirement for personal inspections. Drones can go into dangerous places where it wouldn’t be safe for a human to go. This eliminates the possibility of an accident happening to someone who would be inspecting an unstable area of construction.
Stock Proper First Aid
Even with a diligent amount of preparation, a construction accident can occur. It’s important to be ready for these type of situations so workers can receive the care that they need as fast as possible. It’s best to invest in the latest first aid kits. They contain items for wound closure that don’t require stitches as well as stitch kits for minor lacerations, gauze pads, bandages and wound burn dressings. This type of kit provides a quick way to initially address an injury after it occurs.
Invest in a Safety App
Apps have been created for just about every industry. You can even find some for the field of construction that focus specifically on safety for workers. FallSafety has the ability to detect a fall, which sounds an alarm. iAuditor helps make sure that specific procedures are put in place to help prevent dangerous situations from occurring. These apps help provide an easier way to monitor worker safety.
Keep Your Workers Safe
There will never be risk-free jobs on a construction site. However, by implementing reliable equipment, new technology and following the latest standards, a construction site can be made much safer. This creates a better environment for workers as well as the business running the operation.
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