Over 5,000 Americans died because of a workplace injury in 2018. The largest percentage of deaths, 20%, occurred in the construction industry.
If you're a construction worker, you know just how fulfilling and profitable the job can be—but it doesn't come without serious risks. Take the proper steps to protect yourself while on the job site so you can work in the construction field for years to come.
Keep reading this article to discover the construction site safety hazards you should look out for.
Hard hats aren't a fashion statement for construction workers. Being struck by objects is one of the main hazards you'll encounter on a job site.
Job site safety begins with always wearing your hard hat even if you don't think it's needed. This is especially true if you're working on a construction site where work is happening on different levels. If you're working on the ground, lumber, tools, or debris could fall from above at any moment.
Another common form of being struck by an object on a job site is being struck by a vehicle. Large pieces of machinery navigate across worksites frequently and the operators may not see you. If you're wearing protective noise headphones, you won't be able to hear them coming either.
Falls account for around 30% of all construction site fatalities.
Ladders and scaffolding are common tools in the construction business and many employees believe they're experts at using them. But, regardless of the experience level, every employee should be using fall-prevention equipment. This includes safety nets, guard rails, and restraint systems.
In addition, all work surfaces should be stable and safe to walk on. If there are any obstacles such as holes, they should be blocked off and clearly marked. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the location of these hazards.
Included in the top causes of construction injuries are electrical hazards.
Electrical hazards can present themselves in many forms. For example, a heavy machine operator may accidentally strike a low-hanging power line. Electrical tools can malfunction or building safety could be ignored when reworking existing electric connections.
Always know where all the electric sources are before you start working in a location. Use insulated tools whenever possible and always turn off the power before working on anything electrical.
Electrical injuries can be debilitating and leave you unable to work. If you find yourself suffering because of this hazard, be sure to reach out to a construction site injury lawyer.
Practice Construction Site Safety
Now that you're aware of the common hazards, you have a better understanding of construction site safety.
The most important rule is to never let your guard down while on a construction site. It's a dangerous location to be, and you always need to pay attention to your surroundings.
Looking for more construction content? Be sure to browse the rest of this site to stay up to date with all the latest news.
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