Construction sites are notorious for injuries and accidents. We have all seen the scary x-rays and videos of nail gun shots through the foot or worse. And what about those falls from roofs or ladders? These are serious events that can be avoided.
Before we get into specific tips for avoiding injuries, it is important to understand what needs to be in place prior to setting foot on a job site. First, there must be a Workers’ Compensation policy to cover all employees, unless you are a small, independent contractor. In that case, make sure that your subcontractors have the appropriate insurance for their employees.
Get copies of Certificates of Insurance from the job site owner or client for their premises. And, ask if the engineers and architects carry Professional Liability Insurance. It isn’t a bad idea to have your attorney, like the professionals at Clearfield & Kofsky, review your Contract for Construction as well.
With insurance issues taken care of, let’s look into 3 of some of the most important things you can do to prevent job site injuries.
Follow OSHA Requirements
The drawings and specifications for work should reference industry standards, one of those being that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements are to be followed. If you are a laborer, ask that your project manager provide a copy to have onsite for reference. If you are the general contractor, know the guidelines and make an effort to follow all the safety regulations.
OSHA will actually send an inspector out to your job site to inspect things like harnesses, swing scaffolds, caution tape, etc. You can ask for the assistance.
Invest In The Appropriate Attire And Accessories
This has nothing to do with fashion. It has everything to do with preventing injuries. You want to make sure you don’t have loose fitting clothing that can get caught in ropes, chains, or machinery. Ditch the scarves in cold weather, for instance. As well, leave the jewelry at home. Tuck your shirt in. Always wear a hard hat. Steel toed boots can save a foot from being crushed.
Keep The Site Clear
Enough can’t be said about daily clean-up. Every morning the weather should be checked for potentially hazardous conditions. This includes extreme hot or cold temperatures or high winds. As well, the site should be checked for dangerous snow and ice, and cleared of same. At the end of each day, remove hazardous waste (legally), clean up messes, and secure equipment and the property. Injuries don’t just happen to workers. Innocent bystanders, or just curious people, can get hurt as well.
Job site safety must be taken seriously by all parties. That is why there are so many rules and regulations in place. Study them and become educated. Don’t get sloppy and take unnecessary risks to save time while working. Be smart about how you work.
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