October 22, 2019 Safe Construction Sites

Construction is a dangerous professional. You need to know that you are you working on a safe construction site.

October 21, 2019

Working in construction is one of the most dangerous professions, and you probably already know of the risks. Surrounded by hazards, you’ll know that accidents can occur, even when things are done right. Unfortunately, safety can be highly overlooked on construction sites, causing serious issues for HR. Whilst you and your colleagues might be following protocol, if managers or employers aren’t taking it seriously then a construction site can still be unsafe. So, how can you tell if you’re working on a safe construction site?

Signs

Signage on construction sites is key for the safety of workers, managers and passers by. Health and safety signs, like those from mysafetysign.com, should be displayed everywhere, from mandatory signs to prohibition signs to to warning signs. Each colour represents a different message, and it’s key that you as an employee know the meaning of every sign and follow the instructions. You also must be able to spot a potential hazard where there isn’t a sign in place and know when to alert a manager. If you don’t know when to spot a potential risk, you put yourself and everyone else in danger. If managers don’t take this seriously then you aren’t working on a safe construction site.

Equipment and Training

As a construction worker, you will be using a wide range of heavy duty equipment. It’s important that this equipment is well maintained and serviced regularly to ensure that it’s in full working order, and you must be fully trained before using it. Alongside machinery, you must also have the correct clothing on a construction site, including hard hats, high visibility jackets and appropriate footwear. If you see anyone on site not wearing appropriate clothing, then the construction site isn’t safe. Additionally, and often overlooked, is the importance of water. Doing manual work can be exhausting on your body and you need to ensure that you stay hydrated.

Documentation

Before starting any construction work, your company needs to ensure that everything that will occur onsite is correctly documented. If this is the case, then the company is following correct legal procedures and following all licenses. The documentation will also cover any accidents or injuries that occur onsite.

Communication

Like in most jobs, communication in construction work is key to ensuring your own safety and the safety of your colleagues. Managers and supervisors should be communicating with you continuously and encouraging an open environment where you feel able to voice your concerns. Whilst communication in an office job may lead to work being done incorrectly, in an environment with heavy machinery and constant hazards, a miscommunication could lead to a fatal accident, and therefore it isn’t simply a wish: it’s a must. This also counts for written communication. Managers should encourage feedback and training to ensure that all employees know the best way to communicate and to prevent misunderstandings. If you don’t feel able to talk to your colleagues or supervisors, then this is a clear sign that you aren’t working on a safe construction site.

Subscribe to Industry Today