As commercial builders, we have an obligation to our fellow workers to conduct all working operations in a safe and efficient manner. To accomplish this, we believe it is important to train each individual to examine their environment and become able to identify hazards so that it can be eliminated.
Usually, an accident is the occurrence of an unexpected event. If we take the time to identify potential hazards in our environment and neutralise them, there will be no unexpected events. In our new blog post, we will discuss a few tips on working in a safer environment.
Always Examine the Workplace
Whenever you are about to begin a new construction project, always ensure the you have examined the workplace thoroughly and have a clear idea of your surroundings. Start the day by examining the workplace conditions and the tasks to be performed to identify potential hazards. This way, you can plan to control or eliminate any potential hazards before the work begins.
Ultimately, the job hazard analysis technique focuses on tasks to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the builder, the task, the tools and the working environment. Once these hazards have been identified, steps will be taken to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable risk level. Because a commercial construction site is always changing, everyone involved with the work being performed should contribute to helping identify potential hazards to ensure a safer working environment for construction safety.
Use the Right Equipment
As commercial builders, we are highly aware of the fact that a construction site is a dangerous occupation. Therefore, we take steps to prepare ourselves by using safe equipment. There are several pieces of equipment that are required to ensure safety in the workplace and is to be worn through the entire day because threatening events can be both frequent and random.
The following pieces of equipment are the minimum requirements for a construction site:
Hard Hat: A hard hat is to always be worn on a construction site. Always make sure you properly inspect any cracks or damage in the hat, because after all, it is protecting your head.
Safety Glasses: On a construction site, there is always dirt and dust being propelled in the air due to surrounding equipment. Always ensure you have safety glasses on when working in a construction site at all times.
Proper Clothing: The ideal clothing for a construction site includes shirts with sleeves, long pants and hard soled work shoes that cover your ankles. In addition, high-visibility vests are also required on a construction site.
Other task specific equipment includes:
- Hearing protection
- Hand protection
- Face shields
- Safety harness
- Respiratory protection
Material Handling
There are right and wrong ways to transport and lift materials on a construction site. As builders, it is our responsibility to follow best work practices when it comes to moving materials. Even with the increase of machinery that moves materials and equipment, there are still certain elements which are moved by hand, and this is where we must be cautious.
Back, knee and foot related injuries all occur when you attempt at moving equipment and don’t proceed with caution. Improper use of transporting machinery and equipment often results in costly injuries and delays on a construction site. One of the most overlooked dangers of material handling is nails. Prior to lifting, bend all nails against the object so the sharp edges aren’t exposed. Always make sure you are wearing gloves where cuts, splinters and other hand injuries are possible.
In addition to nails, consider the weight of the object. Whenever you are about to lift an object, identify the weight of the object and organise help for transportation. It’s always better to work smart than to rely on your physical ability.
Using Power Tools
When using power tools, always follow all manufacturers recommendations on how to properly use the tools. After completion or a pause on a job, never leave tools unattended and if the tool is not being used, ensure it is unloaded. In addition, safety guards should never be removed from safety tools and if a tool is damaged or faulty, it should be marked inactive and to be repaired.
Our commercial builders Perth team knows safety is the most important aspect of the job. As builders, we must constantly be aware of our surroundings and potential hazards to eliminate them as soon as possible. If you have any questions on a construction site, always refer to your supervisor to get a better understand of the procedures in place to ensure safety in the workplace. For any inquiries, questions or recommendations, please contact us today.