Construction is a dangerous industry, and many accidents happen every day on construction sites around the world. Whether you are working on a large scale construction site or simply doing simple repairs at home there are some basic safety precautions you can take that will lower the risk of a dangerous accident dramatically. With a few simple precautions and safe practices, doing construction work can be much safer for everyone involved.
Wear The Right Equipment
Wearing the right safety equipment can mean the difference between safely completing a project and ending up in the hospital. If a construction site requires a hard hat it is important to keep the hat on the entire time you are there. Wear any safety equipment a job requires the entire time you are doing it, and never try to fit in small tasks after the equipment is off or before it is put on. While it may seem frustrating to spend longer putting safety equipment on than doing the task it is required for, the potential for an accident does not go down because something is supposed to be simple.
Assume Anything Electrical Is On
Construction sites are frequently full of powered equipment and open wiring that is still being worked on. Approach anything that uses electricity with the assumption that it does have power and can go on at any time. Electricity is one of the most dangerous hazards on a construction site because it is so easy to assume something is not powered and start working on it without physically checking. If your construction site has a lock down or tag out plan in place, always follow the proper procedures before working on anything electrical.
Care With Heights
It is always important to make sure ladders and scaffolding are functional and properly maintained before attempting to use them. Make sure to follow all site procedures before setting up anything to use for scaling, and wear a harness whenever it is required. Never set up and use scaffolding or ladders alone, and always make sure the equipment being used has been fully checked out before setting it up.
Movement And Cleanup
Never leave equipment or materials lying in open spaces where people may walk. Be careful to avoid setting up anything in a way that may present a trip hazard without marking the area to protect people walking through. When you move through a construction site, make sure you are always aware of what is at your feet and in your way to avoid a fall. Look at where you are going before you start walking and make sure there are no hazards blocking your path.
Care In Enclosed Spaces
Never work in an enclosed space alone. There always needs to be someone standing by to make sure that the person in the enclosed space can get out quickly in case of emergency. Tight spaces always need to have adequate lighting, and make sure the person working in the enclosed space and the spotter both have an exit strategy in place in case there is an emergency or problem.
Wear The Right Equipment
Wearing the right safety equipment can mean the difference between safely completing a project and ending up in the hospital. If a construction site requires a hard hat it is important to keep the hat on the entire time you are there. Wear any safety equipment a job requires the entire time you are doing it, and never try to fit in small tasks after the equipment is off or before it is put on. While it may seem frustrating to spend longer putting safety equipment on than doing the task it is required for, the potential for an accident does not go down because something is supposed to be simple.
Assume Anything Electrical Is On
Construction sites are frequently full of powered equipment and open wiring that is still being worked on. Approach anything that uses electricity with the assumption that it does have power and can go on at any time. Electricity is one of the most dangerous hazards on a construction site because it is so easy to assume something is not powered and start working on it without physically checking. If your construction site has a lock down or tag out plan in place, always follow the proper procedures before working on anything electrical.
Care With Heights
It is always important to make sure ladders and scaffolding are functional and properly maintained before attempting to use them. Make sure to follow all site procedures before setting up anything to use for scaling, and wear a harness whenever it is required. Never set up and use scaffolding or ladders alone, and always make sure the equipment being used has been fully checked out before setting it up.
Movement And Cleanup
Never leave equipment or materials lying in open spaces where people may walk. Be careful to avoid setting up anything in a way that may present a trip hazard without marking the area to protect people walking through. When you move through a construction site, make sure you are always aware of what is at your feet and in your way to avoid a fall. Look at where you are going before you start walking and make sure there are no hazards blocking your path.
Care In Enclosed Spaces
Never work in an enclosed space alone. There always needs to be someone standing by to make sure that the person in the enclosed space can get out quickly in case of emergency. Tight spaces always need to have adequate lighting, and make sure the person working in the enclosed space and the spotter both have an exit strategy in place in case there is an emergency or problem.
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