Construction sites are dangerous. A member of the crew or an innocent bystander can sustain an injury at any time, and many of them can be fatal. Designing and maintaining a safe work zone at all times is a top priority for construction workers. Check out how to minimize accident reports on a construction site for everyone’s sake.
Know the Dangers
Get familiar with the most common dangers on a construction site. Knowledge is power. When everyone knows about potential accidents, they’ll know what to look out for and what to prevent. On a construction site, the most common accidents are:
- Falls from great heights
- Electrical shocks
- Getting caught in the machinery
- Being struck by an object
Inform everyone on the site of these dangers. Require everyone to work to avoid these mishaps. For example, workers can avoid falling from great heights by wearing proper harnesses and always having another crew member on the ground to spot them and keep an eye out.
Mandate Safety Training
Providing safety training is not enough—all site managers should mandate the training. If someone doesn’t complete the safety training, they can’t work on the site. Offer the training before starting the project.
Quiz every member at the end of the course to ensure they know the guidelines. If at any time you introduce new equipment, require members to learn the ins and outs. Have experts come to the site to perform demonstrations and a walk-through. No one should operate new machinery without having a certificate or permit to do so.
Assign Safety Monitors
Managers have only one set of eyes and ears. They can’t be everywhere at once. Therefore, all sites need backup safety monitors. Safety monitors will be responsible for surveying every area on the site before and after operations.
They will run through a checklist to ensure the site is safe enough to enter and that all equipment gets put away properly after use. They will also keep track of all safety training requirements. If any crew members fail to complete their training, the monitors should prohibit them from working until they pass the training.
Maintain the Site
Never let the site become a hazardous work zone. The dangers are already apparent without adding to them. Place all equipment back after use, tape down power cords so no one trips over them, and keep the area well ventilated and dust free.
Have a designated area for all materials and equipment on site—this goes for the dumpster too. Safely using the dumpster on a job site means loading it carefully and placing the proper signage around the perimeter.
Wear Protective Gear
Wearing protective safety gear is the best thing any construction crew member can do. PPE is the first line of defense. Even with all the training and precautions in place, accidents can still happen.
Never wear open-toe shoes on the site or have any unnecessarily exposed skin. Cover up from head to toe and always wear a hard hat. The same rules apply to civilians visiting the site.
Follow these guidelines to minimize accident reports on your construction site.
