Every profession has its hazards. However, accidents are far more common for those in the construction industry. Workplace accidents can lead to all kinds of injuries, and while workers’ compensation is in place for these situations, an ounce of prevention can go a long way.
According to RileyCate, LLC, construction workers have the highest risk of being injured on the job site. Hot surfaces, chemicals, and electrical work can result in burns. Ladders and scaffolding present opportunities for falls, which can lead to broken bones or traumatic brain injuries.
Without proper safety precautions, construction work becomes even more dangerous. Understanding the common ways serious injuries can occur can help you minimize your risk while doing your job.
Following these safety tips can help both employers and workers avoid danger on the job site.
Build Awareness
Every employer should make workers on a job site fully aware of the dangers. Most people know that anyone could fall off a ladder. However, taking the time to ensure all workers are properly trained on what to check before climbing that ladder can save someone from an injury.
Ensuring Proper Lighting Is Present
Many construction workers have to work in dimly lit conditions. This creates more possibilities for injuries when a worker can’t see a hazard right in front of them such as a hole in the ground or an uneven surface. Better lighting can illuminate the working area and give everyone a clear view.
Providing Adequate Safety Signage
Potential hazards should be marked with signage that clearly identifies the danger. Whether it’s an obstacle that workers must navigate around or someone has spilled something that needs to be cleaned up, it should be indicated with signs warning of the hazard.
Quickly Containing Spills
Some spills on a job site can be slippery. Others can be dangerous to be around without the proper protection. Every job site should have proper equipment to contain these spills readily accessible, and every employee should know where to find them.
Installing Proper Ventilation
You may picture an on-site injury as a gaping wound or severed limb. While those types of injuries can and do occur, plenty of workers are injured by inhaling toxic chemicals and particles on the job. Proper ventilation keeps these things out of the air and makes for a safer place to work.
Wearing the Right Attire
Every job site should have a dress code, which will typically include safety gear such as harnesses and hard hats. It should also require non-slip shoes that will provide a firm grip on any surface.
Knowing how to stay safe and creating awareness can help you avoid serious injuries at work. Sometimes though, certain factors may lead to injuries no matter how careful you are while at work. If your employer doesn’t file your report for workers’ compensation after an injury or was negligent in maintaining the job site, or your injuries were caused by a third party, consult a personal injury attorney about your situation.