Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Admin
The construction industry can be very demanding, with targets to hit and deadlines to meet. Not only is it demanding, but it can at times be dangerous too; from working at height to dealing with live electricity, there is a range of reasons why injuries may occur.
The following article will explore some of the most common injuries and the different safety measures that can be implemented.
Injuries
Table of Contents
Falls from heights
Many jobs within construction require working at a height, from roofing and scaffolding to operating a crane and fixing a wind turbine fault. Although strict safety measures are typically put in place for this sort of work, accidents can still occur. This type of accident can cause significant physical trauma and could result in a falls from height injury claim being made if those safety measures fall short.
Machinery accidents
The majority of construction jobs cannot be carried out without the use of machinery, a lot of which is very heavy duty and can cause substantial damage to both the user and those in close proximity if used incorrectly.
It isn’t just human error that can lead to these injuries, unfortunately, there are cases when a machine may malfunction or react to certain materials or conditions in a way that was not anticipated, and this can result in damage.
Vehicle accidents
While injuries can be used by improper use of company vehicles, it is often the case that public vehicles cause more damage. With a lot of construction work taking place in residential areas or on motorways, some drivers can get frustrated and drive recklessly as a result, causing injury.
Electrocutions
With certain construction work taking place close to power lines and sources, it is unsurprising that there is a risk of electrocution. While there are safe working practices for this type of work, if accidentally hitting a power line does happen, the impact can be very damaging.
What should you do to best avoid these injuries?
Safety induction
The best way to avoid injuries on-site is to provide people with the right education to know how to work safely. Regardless of experience levels, anyone new to site should undertake a sufficient safety induction, which outlines all the procedures needing to be followed, as well as what to do if an accident does occur.
Continuous learning
No matter how good a safety induction is, it can be hard to digest and retain all the necessary information at one time. Therefore, continuous learning needs to occur, to keep the importance of safety at the forefront of everyone’s minds. This could be done through regular toolbox talks, quarterly safety reviews, or the use of informative posters around the site.
Appropriate equipment
Regardless of how well-versed in safety people are, they are still going to be prone to injury if they don’t have the proper equipment. Conducting regular maintenance, meaning machinery and vehicles used in and around the site are up to scratch is an effective way to reduce the possibility of accidents.
It is also vital to provide all required PPE, specific to the job in hand.
