Dealing with a building site can be risky and laborers are particularly exposed to falls from extraordinary levels. Individuals who work on building sites frequently need to utilize hardware and heavy machinery and are many times in conditions where unsafe materials are their biggest threat.
Because of this, construction workers are much of the time at risk of:
- Falling from extraordinary levels
- Getting injured from moving heavy objects.
- Audible problems from insanely loud drilling noises.
- Getting affected or infected by materials that can cause permanent harm to human body parts.
Falls are a leading cause of injuries in the construction industry, which is the reason it’s urgent to have safety measures in place to protect construction workers. Whether it’s fixing a rooftop, fabricating another home, or building a high rise, experienced personal injury lawyers in Atlanta share that there are numerous manners by which your personnel can become harmed.
The following are safety tips that can be useful for construction workers.
Be More Protected While Utilizing a Stepping Stool
One of the most regularly utilized types of equipment in construction are stepping stools so you should ensure that every one of your stepping stools is protected and up to code. Falling from stepping stools is excessively normal but can be mitigated with some attentiveness and security practices.
Guarantee that the accompanying well-being safeguards are taken while utilizing a stepping stool:
- Review them for any broken or imperfect parts.
- Securely position compact stepping stools so the side rails stretch out no less than three feet over the arrival.
- While conveying devices up a stepping stool, ensure they are conveyed in a belt or think about raising them with a rope.
- NEVER utilize the main three rungs or the top two stages of a stepping stool.
- Continuously have one more person on the ground who can screen the ladder and assist the one on it.
- Extra Tip: Consistently ensure your laborers are wearing hard caps, defensive eyeglasses, security-toed footwear, and gloves while at work.
Make a Protected Work Area
Fall protection systems are the primary line of defense against falls in construction. They become mandatory whenever a worker is on a surface more than 6 feet above the ground and could fall. There are three main types of systems:
- Guardrails and safety nets: These passive systems prevent falls altogether. Guardrails with toeboards form a physical barrier, while safety nets catch workers if they do happen to lose balance. These systems are ideal when possible, as they eliminate the risk of a fall reaching the ground.
- Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS): When guardrails or nets are not feasible, PFAS come into play. These systems include a full-body harness, a lanyard or lifeline that connects the harness to a secure anchor point, and the anchor point itself. If a worker falls while using a PFAS, the lanyard arrests the fall, suspending the worker until they can be safely rescued.
Train Your Workers
When it comes to staying safe on a construction site, knowledge is power. That’s why fall protection training is essential for everyone on the crew. Here’s what you can expect:
- Fall Hazards 101: This training will open your eyes to the different types of fall hazards you might encounter. Think walking on uneven surfaces, working on ladders or scaffolds, or reaching over railings. You’ll learn to recognize these dangers and how to avoid putting yourself at risk.
- Gearing Up for Safety: Fall protection systems come in all shapes and sizes. The training will walk you through the different types, like guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems (harnesses, lanyards, and anchors). You’ll learn how each system works, when to use it, and most importantly, how to use it properly.
- Safe Work Practices: Training isn’t just about the equipment; it’s also about developing safe habits. You’ll learn proper techniques for working at heights, like maintaining three points of contact (two hands and a foot) on ladders, always facing the ladder while climbing, and keeping your work area free of clutter.
Conclusion
Falls from high altitudes are not by any means the only expected reason for injury. Falls onto things, for example, wet cement; distending support, faulty apparatus; moving objects, or vehicles, can likewise have serious injurious consequences, no matter the distance.
