How To Make A Construction Site Safe

Construction work often means working at a hazardous site. It involves risks of varying degree for construction personnel, from the materials used in constructing and the overall act of construction. Therefore, it is imperative to take measures to safeguard personnel from dangers present at construction sites. 

Let’s outline a few measures that can be taken into account to make construction sites safe.

Ensure workers have completed recent safety training 

Construction workers must undergo safety training regardless of what construction site they’re going. A white card ensures workers have undergone occupational safety training and workers fully understand the risks involved in working at the construction site. 

Safety training defines when and how to work, including under various weather conditions, as well as the handling of various hazardous equipment. Safety training helps workers recognise dangerous areas of the construction site so that they can be cautious when working there.

Construction workers must be fully prepared for and know how to respond to emergencies. When a worker gets injured, other workers must know how to help the injured worker using the available medical resources. In addition to safety training, workers must also possess a license to operate heavy machinery like cranes. It is their responsibility to renew it when it expires. 

Minimise and manage risk

Besides making sure that every worker has undergone safety training, it’s also necessary for officers on-site to assess safety situations every now and then. Site officers must also conduct safety drills to make sure workers on-site know how to behave in an emergency situation. 

They must also ensure that all equipment that is used on the site are safe and meet industry regulations. Equipment should regularly be inspected by both users and the site offer to ensure it is safe to use. 

If an accident or emergency occurs, every worker must report to the site officer so that the situation can be handled safely and immediately. Therefore, communication onsite should be encouraged so that everyone reports incidents quickly. 

Furthermore, when construction work is underway, there should be a dedicated medical officer. There should be at least one worker trained in first aid to every 25 workers. 

For their safety, workers on construction sites must wear correct clothing and safety gear. The clothing should not only be comfortable, allowing workers to move easily, but it should also protect them from harsh elements. Debris, dust, sparks, fire, and various other elements found on a construction site are dangerous. Therefore, a mandatory guideline should be set for workers to wear non-flammable clothing and safety gear, like gloves, helmets, and glasses.

Oftentimes, construction workers are required to climb high storey buildings. Therefore, officers-in-charge must provide scaffoldings that are robust along with other safety gears. For instance, safety nets or fall-arrest systems may be needed. 

Keep the Site Secure

A construction site needs to be secured from any kind of intruders. A person who is not trained in construction site safety can put themselves at risk when moving around the site. They can also damage property and equipment, either intentionally or unintentionally. For instance, they can compromise the safety of space, like breaking supports of scaffolding. When a worker climbs up the scaffolding the next day, it may become unstable, injuring them and others.  

The majority of construction projects are carried out during the day. This can unfortunately mean a busy street may be affected by the construction work. In general, and especially during these times, correct traffic management planning must be carried out with proper entry and exit points. This enables smoother movements of construction vehicles and other movements. Taking these measures also ensures that risks are minimised to site workers as well as passing motorists and pedestrians.

Conclusion:

Thus, when undertaking any construction project, various safety measures need to be taken. This ensures the safety of the workers, as well as protecting the equipment and keeping a project running on time and to budget as best as possible. Taking proper measures can help you to avoid any potential accidents from happening for those both on and off site. Keeping the construction site should be the topmost priority of any construction manager.