Construction sites are amongst one of the dangerous places to work. So below, we are listing the top 10 safety rules you should follow to keep yourself & others safe, from using PPE to following all the safety procedures.
Thousands of workers get injured at the construction site every year, so if you are a professional working in the construction industry, it becomes crucial to enrol in any white card training program to prioritize health and safety.
Below ten tips will surely help you to prevent accidents & make your site a safer place to work.
1) Use PPE whenever required
Have the required PPE with you whenever you enter a site. It will act as your last line of defence in case you face any hazards at your location. Hi-viz makes sure that you are visible every time & safety boots will protect & provide grip to your feet. You can replace your hard hats but not your skull.
2) Never start work without induction
Different sites have different hazards & work operations. Make sure that you are always aware of the things around you, so you don’t have to worry about your safety. It’s a legal requirement to have an induction on each & every construction site you work. Induction is essential as it will let you know where you can sign in, where you should go, what you should do & what you should avoid. Never start your work without one!
3) Keep your site tidy
Construction sites can be messy. It might seem that slips & trips are not significant issues compared to other high-risk works happening on the site, but don’t let this fool you. According to the stats provided by HSE in 2018-19, slips & trips caused 30% of the injuries at the worksite. Avoid slip & trip hazards by keeping your area of work clean and tidy throughout your shift. In addition, we should pay close attention to areas like access & escape routes.
4) Never put others or yourself at risk
Just one wrong move can put you in the way of harm. Look to set a good example by acting & thinking safely on the site. You are accountable for your behavior. Construction sites can turn out to be extremely dangerous, so make sure you are aware of the safety throughout your shift.
5) Following safety procedures & signs
Ensure that you follow all the safety procedures & signs taught to you during your induction. In addition, your employer should make sure that they carry a risk assessment of all your activities. Don’t forget to read & always try to understand it. Necessary control measures should always be in place for your safety. Ensure they are where they need to be & are working.
6) Avoid working in unsafe areas
Make sure that the area you work in is safe to work in. Know & be aware of the things happening around you. According to stats provided by HSE, 14% of fatalities that occurred on construction sites were due to something that collapsed or overturned & moving vehicles were responsible for 11% of accidents. Always make use of suitable guard rails & other fall protection gears whenever working at heights. Avoid entering unsupported trenches & make sure that you have safe access. Never work under crane loads or other operations which seem to be dangerous.
7) Reporting of near misses & defects
Report your supervisor immediately if you notice any problem. Fill out a near miss or incident report or discuss with your supervisor. Make use of the procedure set for your site for reporting issues. Management can take quick actions only if they are made aware of the problems. We can reduce the frequency of accidents by resolving the problems as soon as possible.
8) Don’t tamper with equipment
If you find something that is not working or does not seem acceptable, follow point number 7. Don’t try to force or alter something even if trained to do so. For example, never try to remove scaffold ties, guard rails, or machine guards. Likewise, never try to fix or tamper with defective equipment without authorization unless you are competent enough.
9) Making use of the right equipment
One tool will not be helpful for every task. However, you can get the job done quickly & safely by using the correct tool. Before you start, make sure to check the condition of the equipment.
10) Ask if you are in doubt
If you have doubts regarding the work you have to do, ask without hesitating. Discussing with others will only take 5 minutes, but it won’t be easy to put things right if something goes wrong. Choose to be safe than being sorry. Construction sites have taken a lot of lives due to mistakes, Don’t be one of them! Always speak to your supervisor for any further information.
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