Physical work in the construction industry involves operating heavy equipment and performing duties at high altitudes, in changing weather conditions mking them prone to accidents. The resulting threats mean that site managers are obliged to train and secure employees in accordance with health and safety rules.
Work in the construction industry is dangerous due to safety conditions. The simultaneous work of several teams, protruding structural elements, heavy equipment and sharp tools often expose an employee to injury. Therefore, not unsurprisingly, state and federal regulations must be strictly observed. The consequence of not respecting safety regulations on construction sites can result in some of the following incidents:
- stumble
- fall at the same level
- a fall caused by an object falling from above
- misuse of tools or equipment
- fall from a height
- pulling down
Construction workers affected by the above-mentioned accidents most often perform duties related to the handling of building materials, renovation or demolition of existing buildings, including:
- assembly and disassembly of wall structures
- bricklaying and demolition
- reinforcement and pouring footings
- plastering
- thermal insulation of external walls
- painting robots
- roofing and flashing
Appropriate organization of the workplace is vital for both employees and bystanders who may be in the vicinity of a construction site. Neglecting this aspect results in civil suits from pedestrians and workers compensation cases from the workers.
Every work zone should be fenced and marked with warning boards, but also equipped with protective railings on the edges of ceilings and dangerous ground level faults. On open construction sites to prevent accidents, it is worth installing special protective canopies or separating danger zones when the construction site is located in close proximity to other buildings.
In the middle railings, a special crossbar should be installed to reduce the risk of falling. In addition, the coordinator supervising the work must agree with the construction team on the rules of cooperation in the event of possible threats and actions to prevent them.
A person employed on a construction site should be dressed in long trousers, a protective reflective vest, and shoes with an insert and a non-slip sole. In addition, a construction worker should be equipped with protective glasses, work gloves, and in the case of exposure to increased noise – soundproofing headphones or earplugs. A protective helmet is also mandatory – it will not only identify the employee, but also protect their head against falling objects.
Construction workers work in dangerous conditions – on steel structures, scaffolding and roofs. To minimize the risk of workers falling on construction sites, every height-related kit should include a harness and a shock absorber with two cords, which will ensure even distribution of forces during a fall and reduce the risk of injury to the worker.
Working in the construction industry carries a lot of risks. The development of science and technology as well as the knowledge we currently possess can almost completely eliminate them from the work environment. Taking shortcuts, omitting procedures, bravado, taking risks may result in an accident or illness.
