When you and your team are working on a high-stakes construction project, one of your main priorities might be staying on scope — despite historic supply chain issues and always-unpredictable construction chaos. It’s likely that your #1 priority, regardless of scope, is keeping your team safe. Want a quick reminder of the top construction accidents, as well as the best things you can do for construction accident prevention? Read on.
Keep an Eye Out for These Georgia Construction Accidents
In order to prevent accidents, you need to know what’s happening. These are the most common construction-site adverse events.
Falls
Often, construction workers complete projects high off the ground (think: ladders, rooftops, and scaffolding). Falls over short distances can cause sprains and lacerations — and falls from high distances can be extremely destructive.
Falling debris
A construction worker doesn’t need to be the one falling to be in danger! An active building site may have an above-average rate of precariously-placed overhead tools, pieces of scaffolding, and various construction materials. If they fall, they may seriously harm a worker or contribute to another dangerous worksite condition (e.g., irregular flooring).
Electrocution
Before a project is completed, a construction site may have unfinished electrical work, downed power lines, or even exposed wires. Taking a step in the wrong direction could burn or electrocute an unprotected worker.
Machinery accidents
Cranes, bulldozers, jackhammers, or all three: These types of large machines can lead to severe impact injuries. Even drills and nail guns, smaller though they are, can inflict painful lacerations if a person’s hand is in the wrong place.
Ground collapses
Sometimes, the ground on a construction site isn’t quite as solid as it may seem. Whether a trench isn’t marked clearly enough or an excavation site is unstable, this type of environment may lead to higher rates of collapses — creating dangerous situations for everyone in the immediate area.
Overexertion
This less-visible effect of long hours worked in the hot sun often goes unnoticed. The threat overexertion poses is commonly ignored. Yet overexertion can lead to fainting, dehydration, and even cardiac failure — all compelling reasons for construction site managers to think twice about how long construction workers are active on the site.
Consider Implementing These Construction Accident Prevention Practices
These accidents are serious — and also, in many cases, preventable. If you haven’t already thought about requiring these practices on your site, now may be a good time to begin:
1. Have your workers (and anyone on site) wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
While the specific PPE you choose may vary based on your site’s needs, safety boots, hard hats, and high-visibility clothing are usually good inclusions.
2. Make sure your workers take breaks.
When construction workers take breaks, they are able to eat, rest, and hydrate — which helps them remain strong and alert for the rest of the day. This can reduce both overexertion and other common accidents.
3. Use clear safety signs on your site.
Wherever possible, use easy-to-read signage across your site to alert site workers and visitors to any environmental dangers.
4. Keep your construction equipment maintained.
Well-kept machines will likely have fewer equipment accidents, so make sure that your team keeps on top of routine maintenance.
5. Schedule a recurring safety meeting for your team.
Even if it’s just a few minutes on a regular basis, keeping your team up to date regarding the best safety practices will keep these habits top-of-mind for your team.
6. Conduct regular inspections for site safety.
Your team leaders and site supervisors should walk the construction site on a daily basis to see whether workers are following safety rules — or if there are any potential threats that need to be eliminated.
Work With GA-Based Peak Steel Contractors to Run a Safe, Efficient Construction Site
One of the best things you can do to ensure your site is as safe as possible is work with experienced, professional contractors. At Peak Steel Contractors, we’re ready to help! Check out our past projects to see what we’re capable of, and reach out to our team today for timely assistance and expertise on construction accident prevention.