The U.S. construction industry is one of the most dangerous, but common hazards can be dealt with on the job site through training, inspections, and proactive safety practices that greatly reduce the number of deaths.
According to OSHA, the federal agency that enforces workplace standards in the United States, roughly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occur in the construction industry. Over 1,000 construction workers are killed on the job every year, and a significant proportion of these deaths are because of the fatal four leading causes of construction injuries.
Let's explore construction site safety risks and how worksites can mitigate them.
The Fatal Four
The fatal four leading causes of construction fatalities are:
- Falls, which account for 36% of construction deaths.
- Being struck by an object, such as a falling tool or swinging load.
- Electrocution.
- Caught in or caught between accidents, where a worker is caught or trapped by machinery, vehicles, and structures.
Now let's explore six proven strategies to help protect your worksite against these dangers.
1. Construction Site Safety: Safety Training
Construction site safety training should be about more than ticking boxes and listing hazards without reinforcement. It's important to have frequent refreshers, such as 15-minute talks held at the start of the shift.
2. Protective Equipment at All Times
People on construction sites simply don't use equipment correctly. For example, hard hats need to meet the requirements set by the American National Standards Institute. The regulations also state they need to be replaced if they're damaged.
3. Site Inspections: Identifying Hazards
Site inspections serve two main purposes. The main function is to identify potential safety hazards and to either remove the threat, mitigate it, or avoid it. They also signal that the site takes OSHA safety guidelines seriously.
After each inspection, there should be clear written documentation describing who did the inspection and what they observed. For example, if the inspection uncovers a lack of visibility equipment, the inspector should note that it's time to shop for high visibility safety vests.
4. Workplace Safety Protocols: Effective Communication
Workers often don't report hazards that they see on construction sites, often because they don't want to be seen as somebody causing trouble or slowing production.
Worksites can improve the situation by assigning a specific person per shift as the main point of contact for any safety concerns.
5. Site Safety Equipment: Technology that Supports Safety
Technology should only supplement safety practices. It shouldn't replace it. With that said, new technologies always have the potential to make construction sites safer.
For example, many sites now use drones, which fly over the site to capture video and images, allowing contractors to inspect roofline scaffolding that is otherwise inaccessible to personnel.
Ensure Construction Site Safety
Sites investing in appropriate training, proactive safety communication, and equipment, who try to develop a strong safety culture, can significantly reduce the unacceptably high number of fatalities on construction sites around the U.S.
They require consistent management, worker safety training, and documentation, combined with a willingness for everyone from project managers to site workers to put safety at the forefront of their thoughts and practices.
If you're interested in learning more about construction site safety and similar topics, see the rest of our blog posts. This article was prepared by an independent contributor and helps us continue to deliver quality news and information.
