by Nigel Hilton

Image Credit

The construction industry has created great employment opportunities for many Americans across the country. However, due to the various risks involved in this nature of business, the industry has also dealt with many injuries to workers on sites. It is essential to implement adequate safety measures on construction sites to ensure all involved are protected. So, what actions can you put in place to ensure this happens? Here are a few effective tips to consider.

Conduct health and safety training

The demands of every site differ, and so do the risks. Therefore, your construction workers must undergo a health and safety training session before working on the site. During these training sessions, you should educate workers on how to use the various types of machinery needed and the technicalities of the job ahead. You must ensure that your workers are fully competent for the task. You must also ensure that they are aware of the risks associated and can administer and carry out first-aid and life-saving techniques when needed.

Ensure your workers are in the appropriate PPEs

Personal protective equipment (PPEs), like blue vinyl gloves, is what determines the degree of injury your employee would endure in the case of an accident on the site. Therefore it is crucial to ensure workers arrive on the site in the appropriate PPE. Suppose the site needs drilling to be done with a loud drilling machine. In that case, the worker using this machine would need ear protective gear to protect their ears from the dangers of being exposed to such noise. Other PPEs you should supply your workers with include helmets, hi-vis jackets, and safety goggles. Be sure to replace PPEs that are worn out, torn, or broken.

Put up clear signs around the construction sites

Signs are very important on the construction site as they inform workers and other users of the site of potential dangers. Therefore, it is crucial that the signs you put up accurately highlight the various hazards and provide information such as emergency exits or where the bathroom is located. For example, if your construction site happens to be a frequently used road, ensure you have the proper traffic safety equipment to ensure that both users of the road and your workers are aware of these hazards and probably guided on averting them.

Inspect equipment regularly

An effective method to protect your workers on a site is to conduct regular equipment inspections. Construction workers rely heavily on machines to get their work done and to do so safely. Therefore, not only would a malfunctioning machine decrease efficiency and productivity, but it would also cause a potential risk to the well-being of workers. You can avoid this by identifying potential dangers before they cause irreversible events. You should also encourage and create clear communication structures between yourself and your workers. This would help you pinpoint problems you may not have detected initially or have developed after inspection.  

With these tips, you are guaranteed to ensure the safety of your workers on construction sites and minimize the chances of any risks.