Construction Site Safety Regulations

Dressed for Comfort and Safety

Construction workers cannot show up to a site dressed in just anything. Everything they wear should be with their safety and comfort in mind. The usual attire consists of a basic shirt, long pants and work boots. The work boots are especially important, as they protect the workers from stepping on sharp objects, such as nails.

A hard hat is another integral part of safety attire. Not only does it protect the workers from getting injured by falling objects, but it also can help to keep the head of the workers cool while working during warm weather. Safety glasses and gloves are also very important to wear. The safety glasses protect the worker from objects that might be thrown from machinery, such as power saws. Safety gloves help protect the hands while the worker is handling wood that might splinter, or other materials that could be sharp.

There are also some other basic rules that should be followed when it comes to construction site attire. If a worker is in an area that has a lot of loud noise, ear plugs should be worn. There should be no jewelry worn while working, and any long hair needs to be tied back.

What a construction worker needs to bring varies on the site and his employer. For example, some jobs might require a construction worker to bring his own tools, while other jobs might have the tools already provided. Regardless, however, the worker should always be sure to bring water to keep hydrated and sunscreen as protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

Lifting is a very important part of construction work, but it can also damage the back of the worker if the lifting is not done in a proper way. So, while lifting the worker should keep his back straight, bending only the knees. The whole hand should be used while lifting, and the object should be kept close to the body. The feet should be moved, and not the waist. Objects that are especially large or heavy (this includes objects that make it hard for the lifter to see where he is going) should be lifted by more than one person.

Construction workers often need to use electrical tools while they are working at a construction site. Tools should always be unplugged when they are not in use or need parts, such as blades or bits, changed. Before using power saws, workers need to make sure that the blade guards are in position. Electrical tools should never be used when wet. Additionally, electrical tools need to carried with fingers away from starting buttons or triggers, and never by their electrical cords.

Workers should always walk and never run while at a construction site. Trash should always be properly disposed of so that no one trips. Nails that are stick out of boards need to be bent inwards. Workers need to be observant and alert at all times, and should never enter a trench more than 5 feet deep alone.