read

The Top 4 Hazards for Construction Workers and How to Avoid Them

By Axis Marketing

construction worker on wood beam project

The construction site is one of the most hazardous workplaces, and many of the injuries that occur there are caused by these top four hazards: falls, struck-by, caught-in/between and electrocutions. However, preventing accidents caused by these hazards is easy.

The safety and health of the workers performing various tasks on a construction site should be a first and foremost concern. Here are some basic safety tips to ensure proper safety considerations to reduce injuries to workers:

 

Preventing Falls:

  • Wear and use fall arrest equipment.
  • Install and maintain perimeter protection.
  • Cover and secure all floor openings and label floor opening covers.
  • Use ladders and scaffolds safely.

 

Preventing Struck-Bys:

  • Never position yourself between moving and fixed objects.
  • Wear high-visibility clothes near equipment and vehicles so that others can see you clearly.

 

Preventing Caught-In/Between:

  • Never enter an unprotected trench or excavation that is 1.5 metres (five feet) or deeper without an adequate protective system in place. (Note: some trenches that are less than 1.5 metres (five feet) may need a similar system as well.)
  • Make sure that a trench or excavation is protected either by sloping, shoring, benching or a trench shield system.

Preventing Electrocutions:

  • Locate and identify utilities before starting work for the day.
  • Look for overhead power lines when operating any equipment.
  • Maintain a safe distance away from power lines and learn your area’s distance requirements.
  • Do not operate portable electric tools unless they are grounded or double-insulated.
  • Use ground-fault circuit interrupters for protection.
  • Be alert to electrical hazards when working with ladders, scaffolds or other platforms.

 

 

Find Out More:

This list is not exhaustive; assessing your exposures and taking the appropriate precautions can go a long way toward protecting your business and your workers. This proactive approach is particularly important when it comes to identifying and avoiding gaps in your risk management program.

Download our “Construction Employee Safety Manual” guide for an in-depth list of more ways to minimize gaps in your risk management and keep your employees safe:

 

Download Here

 

Tags: Construction, Contractors & Real Estate

Let's Talk

At Axis we provide all lines of commercial and personal insurance. We would love to speak with you.