Top 7 Construction Safety Tips To Ensure Risk-Free Operations

Construction safety is often overlooked in standard building practices. Sometimes contractors fail to comply with the DM codes of construction safety practices, resulting in heavy financial and physical losses. 

Construction rules and regulations are designed to ensure worker and property safety, abandoning any risk associated with general building practices. Events involving gas leaks, forklift malfunctions, falling hardware, and hazardous exposure are all common occurrences in a construction site. Such events can be predicted in advance with specialized construction safety professionals on board.

Why Hire Construction Safety Staff

It is possible to reduce the risk profile of a construction site by 50% with timely assessment of risk factors and removal of harmful substances/practices. Construction safety professionals are subject-matter experts with a keen eye for identifying threats and hazards. They can help with:

• Evaluation of fire hazards to set up a prevention plan.

• Addressing construction-related security concerns that may stretch across the adjacent property.

• Identification of hazards and implementation of safety procedures where applicable. 

• Reporting the training requirements of construction workers to assess risk

• Ensure that the staff is ready to practice all standardized safety procedures in the event of an accident.

7 Construction Safety Guidelines For Contractors & Staff

Review this comprehensive list of construction safety tips, designed for professionals to maintain an optimal level of safety on and off the construction site. 

Carry Out Worker Training

There are tons of workers on a building site — each with specialized expertise — handling projects relevant to their proficiency. When training sessions are planned, there should be designated guidelines for every department, including the carpentry, electrical, machine operations, and handy work. 

Invest in a dedicated program to assist staff by equipping them with the skills required for risk management and prevention. This will avoid the chances of accidents and life loss by a significant margin. 

Inspect Equipment When Working At A Height

Among the most common construction hazards involving high altitudes, there is always a higher risk of falls and slips, leading to serious injuries. To avoid accidents on scaffolds and other suspension machinery, a strategic plan should be put in place, involving:

• Assessment of high altitude operations to determine associated risks

• Keep a record of the team responsible for the job

• Address concerns like slipping and falling by providing workers with fall protection systems

• Thoroughly inspect suspension machinery like lanyards, horizontal lifelines, and scaffolds before use. 

Avoid Slips & Falls

Tripping and falling are not merely associated with heightened projects, but can occur even when working with good ol' equipment like a ladder. Appropriate ladder inspection is among the standard OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) recommendations to keep the risk of falls to a minimum. 

In order to ensure maximum safety, the ladder profile should correspond to the given task.  A detailed assessment of ladder type, height, weight, and support system will help determine whether it is good enough for tasks such as ceiling, painting, or lighting work. Moreover, hardware parts like steps, side rails, bolts, and screws should also be thoroughly examined to curb the chances of falls and slips.

Follow Protocols When Operating Heavy Machinery  

There is a reason why only licensed operators are allowed to operate heavy machinery on a construction site. Over the last decade, many accidents have been reported where improper usage of cranes and forklifts led to life-threatening situations. 

To achieve optimal safety in building construction, it is essential to keep all lifting and lowering equipment under check. Hiring experienced operators for this machinery is another way to mitigate the chance of accidents. Moreover, regular vehicle inspection and load capacity checks are among the recommended practices to avoid machinery-related catastrophes and incidents. 

Remove All Electrical Hazards

Electrocution is a leading cause of death among construction workers, and the reason is lack of awareness. Unidentified exposure and sparks can lead to substantial damages on a building site. That is why, it is advisable to inspect electrical circuit breakers and related hardware for potential risks. Regular maintenance and threat management can be a great way to avoid accidents linked to electrical hazards. 

Keep Dust & Fume Exposure In Check

Keeping the exposure of dust, fumes, gases, and vapor under the threshold limit — as specified by the local regulations — is essential to alleviate the spread of pollutants. The exposure of silica dust is a serious construction safety threat, which can lead to health issues if not addressed effectively. 

 Optimal safety can be achieved by maintaining appropriate ventilation in all facilities within the construction site. Special focus should be on confined areas like basements and vaults. 

Use PPEs

All workers should be equipped with protective gear and apparel to prevent operational injuries and accidents. A complete PPE includes a helmet, safety glasses, vest, shoes, and gloves. Other protective apparel and equipment may be required for specialized jobs relating to electrical and welding work. 

The supply of quality building materials to staff is also a key safety factor, as it determines the durability of a building, and hence the safety of residents and workers. 

All in all, practicing standard construction safety practices is a legal obligation of every contractor and construction worker. Appropriate measures and training sessions should be carried out to avoid accidents that may harm the construction staff and the surrounding population. This editorial mentions the most common construction safety risks, as evidenced by previously reported accidents. Use this guide to avoid mishaps and serious injuries on any construction site.