Potential Hazards at the Construction Site
Working at the construction site has a higher vulnerability to workers’ risks of body and even life. In this matter, it is a must for a company to learn how to recognize the hazard and potential accident at the construction and prevent it. As for the employee, construction safety can only be achieved through strict obedience to rules and protocols. However, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) forces the company to make every employee at the construction site aware of the predisposition to harm or injury in the workplace. It is not only about insurance and its matter, but also about how they can be more careful. If you happen to look for working at the construction site, read the potential hazards occurring at the construction site below so you are knowledge equipped before going on submitting your application.
Electricity Case
When it comes to electricity, people in the workplace or home should deal with it carefully. At the construction site, the electricians, engineers, and possibly workers working with electricity can be the most vulnerable since they have to face it daily. It would help if power line workers kept a distance from it. Also, the worker can secure and insulate the machine that they work on. This way, it can help to avoid hazards to damage them during working time.
Trenching and Excavation Case
OSHA has recognized trenching and excavation as the most potential hazard occurring at the site operation. These hazards have resulted in avoidable injury. Both workers and contractors must comply with safety regulations and use protective equipment to minimize the risks associated with trenching and excavation.
High Place Fall Case
Roofs, ladder, and scaffolding accidents account for 50% cases, and the reason is varied from the tripped, fallen, or unstable ladder used. OSHA has even recorded approximately 36 deaths and 24,882 injuries related to stairways and ladder case at the construction site. As more similar accident situations reported, the construction company is compelled to have a better program to eliminate these possible hazards. One of them is to ensure that all the employees have a fall prevention plan as part of any office health and safety program. Besides, employees must also receive training on detection and speed related to fall hazard and know-how to use fall protection equipment.
Scaffolding Case
The potential danger of a scaffold is not only about falling from a high place, but it also related to load-bearing components’ failure during the transmission due to incorrect installation. Construction workers who dismantle and assemble scaffolding have more exposure to the risk of accidents. In this matter, OSHA has addressed this threat by giving specific criteria and requirements for the use of scaffolding, parapet, and guardrail reinforcements.
Heavy Equipment Case
Critical causes of these accidents include ground workers who are hit when reversing or changing the vehicle’s direction. Others might happen during tipping equipment that injures the operator. Mechanics who work when the brakes are not adequately adjusted, and workers on the ground are ruined by falling equipment from excavators, buckets, and other moving construction vehicles also have a possible risk of accidents. It is why workers at the construction site have strict and discipline rules to follow safety guidelines.
Safety risks on site are inevitable, but employees can prevent the risks if they know best how to identify hazards on site. Meanwhile, the company must also establish safety standards that meet the requirements of health and safety authority. This way, companies and employees can work hand in hand and consistently avoid the hazards from happening while working at ease.