Planning for Future Regulatory and Compliance Changes
U.S. manufacturers pay approximately 25% of all environmental, workplace, economic, and tax-compliance regulation dollars annually, according to [...]
Common Safety Hazards on a Construction Site
Safety first. There’s a reason those “Days Without An Accident Signs” hang in every manufacturing or industrial facility. Injuries, equipment malfunctions, and damage to the facility itself can lead to the biggest enemies of any business: Downtime. When operations aren’t in full swing like they should be, it affects the bottom line. You can save time and money by cutting down on safety hazards on a construction site.
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In 2019, the National Safety Council estimated that workplace accidents cost around $171 billion. This includes workers’ compensation claims, medical expenses, lost productivity, and administrative costs. The NSC estimates that any accident requiring medical attention will cost employers more than $42,000.
Yes – accidents happen. But how you prepare for the unexpected and the protocols you have in place for daily operations will go a long way to protect workers as well as your investment. Recognizing safety hazards on a construction site and following safety procedures to mitigate those problems will keep your construction workers safe and deadlines met.
Storee Construction takes great pride in our safety record and constantly updates our safety programs to ensure a safe work environment. Many injuries occur when different vendors or subcontractors aren’t on the same page when sharing a work environment. As a fully-staffed design-build company, we keep all of those jobs in-house.
This ensures everyone is working from the same set of protocols, cuts down on miscommunications, and helps keep the project moving efficiently without sacrificing safety.
Our employees receive a minimum of 16 hours of mandatory training every year, contributing to our excellent safety record.
Common Safety Hazards on a Construction Site
Slipping and tripping are a few of the most cited construction safety issues and can mostly be attributed to a messy or sloppy work environment. Before, during, and after every workday, it’s part of the Storee Construction process to make sure the worksite is clear for workers and visitors alike.
After all, taking a few minutes to pick up tools or cleaning up a slippery service at the job site can save a trip to the doctor for a sprained ankle or twisted knee. There are still plenty of safety measures to be followed to prevent even greater injuries.
A wide range of hazards – such as falling, coming into contact with power lines or sources, and even excessive noise – can lead to injury. Here are a few issues that occur around a construction project and how Storee Construction works to cut down on costly work stoppages.
Fall Protection
Although slips and trips are very common, falling from greater heights is the leading cause of death according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Ladders are the number one reason for death, whether they are being used improperly, are in disrepair, or workers aren’t following protocols.
There are times when those on a construction site are working at great heights and need to be using personal protective equipment. When working on scaffolding, roofs, or other areas of great height, fall protection is always worn. The tethers are inspected at the start of every workday and repaired or discarded if in disrepair.
“Struck-By” Incidents
No matter the size of the job site, there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to the construction industry. With cranes lifting materials hundreds of feet in the air, forklifts zooming around the site, and other mobile construction equipment, workers need to be aware at all times.
This goes for those operating the machinery as well as pedestrians. Every crane lift has a plan, a spotter, and a clearly marked lift zone. Rigging equipment, such as wire rope, hooks, or cradles, is inspected at the start of every day. Riggers are aware of their surroundings to prevent getting pinned by materials being lifted.
Electrical Work
Getting a slight shock while installing an outlet in the home is one thing, installing an electrical panel for an industrial plant is something else entirely. Storee Construction goes above and beyond when it comes to installing infrastructure and addressing electrical safety hazards on a construction site.
This includes signage, safety fences, following protocols when working with buried or overhead power lines, and even wearing protective clothing. Constant communication is critical when working with any amount of power, much less the amount of power a manufacturing plant needs to operate.
Material Handling
We mentioned rigging earlier when talking about getting struck or pinned by materials being lifted. But Storee Construction also has safety processes in place when it comes to preparing those materials to be lifted. When a load weighing 50 tons is being lifted 50 feet in the air, making sure it’s equally weighted and securely fastened is vital.
However, it’s more likely a worker will be lifting tools, bags of concrete, or other materials used around the site. Proper lifting techniques, carrying appropriate weight, and other procedures are followed to keep the wear and tear of the body to a minimum.
The same goes for the machinery we use. Storee Construction follows the recommended lifting capacities of all cranes, forklifts, and other equipment to ensure proper operation. We also inspect and service our machinery often to make sure failure doesn’t occur at inopportune times.
Proper Attire
Along with wearing the appropriate safety gear to prevent falls, protect against electrocution, and preserving hearing and eyesight, there’s also a matter of clothing and other accessories. Loose-fitting shirts can get caught in machinery, improper gloves can get pinched, and untied shoelaces can be a tripping hazard.
Although it may seem trivial, Storee Construction doesn’t believe there are insignificant safety procedures. We make sure first-aid kits, eye washing stations, and other protective accessories (such as masks during the Covid pandemic) are available when required. We believe staying safe helps our crews keep your projects moving forward.
Work With Safety Professionals
In addition to the safety protocols we have in place for our workers, Storee Construction also provides safety audits for your existing facilities. Our safety professionals are well-versed in OSHA protocols as well as jurisdictional codes and requirements throughout the midwest.
For decades, we’ve been providing safety upgrades and addressing safety hazards on construction sites for industrial, commercial, and manufacturing buildings. We’ve worked with electrical stations, hazardous material handling facilities, and processing plants to ensure your investment and your workers are well-protected. Have a large project on the horizon? Reach out to Storee Construction and see how putting safety first will help protect your bottom line.
To find out more about us, meet our staff, or to request your free priority assessment, contact us at 888-736-2032.
