Safety at Work. 9 Tips to Avoid Emergencies in Construction

Table of contents:

• What Does Safety at the Workplace Involve?
• The Importance of Safety at the Workplace
• 9 Safety Rules for Construction Sites
• How Else Can You Keep Safety at Work on Construction Sites?

A construction site can be dangerous due to an increased likelihood of falling or getting injured. That's why companies in need of construction services must ensure good levels of safety at work. Decent working conditions attract more qualified employees and increase productivity and building quality.

Read on to learn about the importance of safety at the workplace and see the tips on safe working conditions on construction sites. Some of these recommendations are universal, so you can use them wherever you work.

What Does Safety at the Workplace Involve?

The active discussion on human safety in past decades has increased the number of health programs, first aid workers, and security services providers. While there is still a lot to strive for, society is beginning to realize the importance of safety at any workplace, be it an office or a construction site.

There is a lot an employer can do to ensure safety at the workplace. Generally, they need to provide working conditions that reduce the risks of work-related injuries and accidents. Here is what safety at the workplace involves:

Safe-to-Use Equipment

The tools you use must be of high quality and calibration. Construction sites involve a significant risk when working with heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, or loud noise devices. In this case, the employer that cares about safety at the workplace must provide employees with protective clothing like gloves, sturdy boots, headphones, and protection glasses.

Comfortable Work Policies

Workplace policies depend on what you do, but their primary purpose is to create a safe environment for employees. These include providing the workers with legal support in an emergency, implementing programs and practices for supportive working conditions, and staying compliant with safety at the workplace rules of organizations like OSHA.

Healthcare Support

The pandemic has made health care a vital part of any corporate policies. Offline workspaces like construction sites now require regular health checks, disinfection, and a plan in case an employee gets sick. While the streets are not as crowded as they were in the pre-pandemic days, remember about the importance of safety at the workplace and avoiding viruses.

The Importance of Safety at the Workplace

Safety at the workplace requires investment and training your team. You may need to spend time and resources updating your equipment and teaching people how to work safely.

Still, the importance of safety at the workplace is hard to overestimate. It benefits businesses and their employees in many ways:

Lowers the Risk of Injuries

Workplace safety means each employee's safety. No matter the type of job, there are always health risks. The combination of correct safety decisions decreases them, bringing employees peace of mind.

Increases Motivation

The research proves that safety at work increases the employee's motivation, thus increasing job satisfaction. The policies that treat workers' security with respect increase their involvement with a company. Such workers are more likely to stay with the employer for years and be productive.

Increases Profits

Work injuries and diseases cost the US about 1.8% of GDP. A separate company hiring a large staff also loses a lot. The financial losses are even higher in the construction industry. Hence, an adequate safety at work policy can minimize the economic burden of work injuries and increase profits due to more motivated workers.

9 Safety Rules for Construction Sites

Safety at the workplace is essential for blue-collar workers, people who work at construction sites and outdoors. Recent statistics show that 58% of blue-colored households in the US have a family member that has been injured at work.

While safety at the workplace is the responsibility of an employer, there are general tips to avoid getting injured at a construction site:

1. Provide Clear Instructions

The loud noise and dust can make communication quite problematic. Still, try to provide your coworkers with clear instructions on your intentions to avoid hurting each other. You could use safety signs if you have them at a site.

2. Organize Tools and Equipment

If you work in construction, tools and equipment are everything, so try keeping them in order after usage. Don't forget to pre-check equipment and safety at the workplace before you start a shift. This rule will prevent you from causing injury to coworkers and damaging the tools.

3. Stay Out of the Heavy Machinery Blind Spots

Operators of heavy construction machines usually have limited sight and can't be responsible for their colleagues' safety at the workplace. Driving becomes especially dangerous during backward movement. Stay alert to your surroundings and try not to get in the way of vehicles.

4. Wear a Seatbelt in a Vehicle

When you are in the role of an operator, wear a seatbelt. Also, don't forget to use rearview cameras to ensure safety at the workplace and not crush your coworkers with several tons of steel.

5. Keep the Working Area Clean

As boring as it may sound, keeping the workplace clean is a critical element of safety at work. Dust, litter, nails, and other typical stuff on a construction site can cause somebody to trip and fall. Hence, we recommend cleaning everything after work and several times during the day if necessary.

6. Use the Assistance of First Aid Workers

Not all of the sites have a team of first aid workers. If yours has one, don't be shy to ask them for help, even with a minor injury. The overall pollution can lead to infections even through small bruises, so having a specialist to assist you is crucial for safety at work.

7. Use the Right Clothing (PPE)

The law requires your employer to provide you with personal protective equipment. Wearing it is your responsibility. Goggles and ear plugs will save you from dust and loud noise, the proper boots will make you stable, and the gloves and helmets will protect you from physical damage.

8. Stick to the Hierarchy of Control

The hierarchy of safety controls is the algorithm for eliminating hazards and ensuring safety at work. Every construction site worker needs to know it at least briefly:

• Elimination. Physical removal of hazards

• Engineering controls. Worker isolation from the danger

• Administrative controls. Changing the way the site works to set safety at the workplace

• Using Personal Protective Equipment

9. Have an Emergency Alarm System

An emergency alarm system is a must-have device at a construction site. An alarm can notify about thefts, fires, accidents, and injuries. Alarms are good for safety at work, so we recommend learning how to use them in any emergency scenario.

How Else Can You Keep Safety at Work on Construction Sites?

Even though your ultimate goal is to prevent emergencies, they may happen, and you must be ready for them. The AllsWell Alert app allows you to ask for help when something goes wrong with a panic button and inactivity monitoring alerts. It sends GPS notifications to selected contacts, informing them about the problem.

Panic button alerts are suitable to notify people about emergencies instantly, but they won't work if you cannot click the panic button. When your phone falls or you cannot reach it, the inactivity monitoring feature is more suitable. It lets you set several inactivity timers. If your absence is too long, AllsWell Alert will start a countdown to deliver alerts to your emergency contacts, including your employer, family, or 911.

If you care about safety at the workplace, try a 30-day AllsWell Alert free trial on Android or iOS systems.