The goal of everyone in any construction site should always be zero casualty or accident. No matter how small or challenging the project is, this is a non-negotiable aspect that must be on top of everyone’s priority. While accidents can’t be avoided 100%, there are ways to minimize or prevent their likelihood of occurrence.
For example, workers who need to handle blunt or rough materials should always wear hand protection gloves. Those who work in noisy environments must wear ear muffs or plugs for good measure. Aside from these site safety practices, there are other precautions that people working in the construction industry must always observe.
Install warning signage and safety barriers
Safety nets, fall barriers, warning signage, and similar site mitigation facilities can help ensure zero casualty in any construction site. Such signs must correspond to all the identified hazards on the site, as well as include safety reminders to site workers. They should be placed in areas where the hazards are present, so workers can see them easily.
Conduct regular drills and safety seminars/training
Site workers must undergo periodic drills featuring simulation of possible emergencies such as fire, chemical leaks, and the like. They should also attend safety seminars and training on-site safety and emergency procedures so they would know how to respond during emergencies, as well as learn the necessary site safety protocols.
Enforce strict wearing of PPEs
Everyone, from the safety officer to the foreman and mason, must wear complete PPEs at all times. A set of PPE varies from site to site, depending on the risks that are present. But here are some of the basic PPEs used in most construction sites:
- Hard hats
- Safety goggles
- Face masks
- Safety boots
- Knee pads
- Work/safety gloves
- Reflectorized vests
- Ear muffs/plugs
- Respirators
- Safety harnesses
Just make sure workers will be oriented as to their proper use, as well as the limitations of each PPE to ensure that the workers will maximize the protective features of the equipment.
Remind everyone to always report site issues immediately
Make sure that all workers are trained to immediately call the attention of their supervisors and other people in charge of site safety when they notice a particular hazard (such as a defective equipment or safety facility) or have experienced a near-miss as a result of such.
This proactive approach will go a long way to keep accidents at bay in your site, so your project can push through and be completed on schedule.
Remove all slip, trip, and fall hazards
A site that has things lying around or hanging precariously will most likely experience an accident. Slip, trip, and fall accidents due to site clutters are what you must avoid at all cost. That said, make it a point to remove any clutter on your site to avoid any untoward incident and safeguard your workers as they move around and perform their tasks.
Keep in mind that it takes a lot of work to maintain a site that is safe from all possible accidents. It’s also a collective effort, from the site managers down to the workers. But if the reward is a safe and healthy workplace, then it’s worth all the efforts you will put into it.
