The construction industry is a vital component of the Australian economy. For individuals in charge of overseeing and managing projects and working safely in the construction industry, safety on construction sites is a top priority. They have a responsibility to promote a culture of safety, reduce risk, and uphold a safe working environment.
Working Compensation Statistics 2018/19 from Safe Work Australia show that there were 14,280 significant claims in the construction sector overall (second after health care and social assistance). Recognising the most prevalent OSHA rules and putting your attention on lowering injury rates are requirements for construction safety. In addition to major OSHA citations, financial concerns might arise from safety risks as a result of:
- Incurred medical costs for injuries
- Damage to reputation, brand, and capacity to compete following a highly publicised incident includes civil exposure to another contractor’s wounded employees or members of the public, multi-employer contract liabilities and missed project timelines.
Here are some frequent accident causes and how to avoid them to assist you in navigating the risks of this high-risk industry:
Falls And Trips
Falls do occur at work, but construction sites can be particularly hazardous. Sites may have dangers like unlevel ground, exposed dangers, unused resources, and partially finished or unfinished buildings. One of them could develop into serious injuries in a split second of inattention.
Sites should ensure fall protection devices are installed along sections with unprotected edges or sides that are six feet above a lower level to reduce these dangers. This ought to apply to excavations, skylights, and elevator shafts as well. Setting up safety nets and protection barriers can help avoid falls and shorten the distance workers must travel if one does happen accidentally.
Scaffolding – Falls
Approximately 65% of all construction workers do their work at risky heights. Many risks scaffold workers must contend with, such as falls, electrocutions, and flying debris.
The structure should be developed, constructed, and disassembled by a certified and competent individual to manage the injury risk. At the beginning of each day, a responsible safety officer should also check it to make sure it is fit for use. When scaffolding is erected, it must be placed at least 5 metres away from power lines and be guarded by toeboards and guard rails.
Electrocutions
Signs are often put up as a project moves forward to warn workers of potential risks, but electric shock and electrocution can happen accidentally. This could occur either directly from touching live parts or indirectly through a conducting substance.
A coating that can shield wearers from electrical shock, flying debris, and other impacts is affixed to hard helmets. They should always be worn, maintained in good condition, and replaced immediately if they experience an electric shock.
Debris And Falling Objects
Injury concerns at construction sites when multilevel homes or structures are under development frequently involve falling tools, construction debris, or beams. By mandating the use of safety equipment and designating a safety monitor to do a risk assessment, site managers may safeguard employees. They’ll aid in identifying fall hazards and alert workers when they might be in danger of falling or endangering others.
The creation of controlled access zones for personnel who are particularly required to work there and the restriction of visits from unauthorised individuals are additional measures.
Captured In Or Between Risks
Accidents involving workers’ body parts getting trapped, squeezed, crushed, or squashed between items are possible because of the heavy machinery in use. Unguarded equipment, cave-ins or collapsing objects, and equipment rollovers can all result in these situations.
All equipment needs to be secured and maintained properly to manage these hazards. Before employing equipment that teaches users to maintain attention on their tasks and others around them, workers should obtain the required training. Additionally, potential pinch, pull-in, and crush spots on the equipment should be made known to them.
Accident rates can considerably affect premiums and negatively impact project bids. Therefore you should learn more about how you can prepare to work safely in the construction industry to be sure you are taking steps to reduce accidents.
