Accidents

Improper placement of cables, materials, and tools can also lead to injuries. Therefore, all stakeholders should wear protective equipment around the worksite regardless of the duration of the visit. Read more about other preventive ways and the most common accidents in the sector in the paragraphs that follow for insight.

What are the most common accidents in construction?

The most common accidents in the sector are slips, trips, and falls. Such incidents can occur on the ground and in high places. When in a hurry, the workers can trip over loose cables or fall into holes in the ground. The risks are usually higher when happening in an unfinished story without any barriers.

The labourers can slip and then fall to the ground. The results are tremendous, from injury to even death, especially if they don’t wear any protective equipment. Electrocution is another usual case. Workers in construction projects have to be careful when encountering wiring, power lines, or extension cords. Anything related to wiring has a high risk of electrocution.

Extra caution is required when working during rainy or snowy days. Electrocution accidents tend to occur more often. As such, workers must place wiring, power tools, and extension cords in their proper places. Every stakeholder should be mindful of the working conditions, including the tools on the ground. Moreover, here are other examples of hazards in a site:

1. Being struck by moving objects
2. Manual handling and lifting injuries
3. Equipment-related accidents
4. Collapses and structural failures
5. Exposure to hazardous substances
6. Fire and explosion incidents

Prevention measures to prevent accidents

Construction accidents occur due to various reasons. In addition to a lack of training, the hazards happen because of the careless use of tools. Natural disasters and poor equipment quality play roles, as well. Taking preventive measures helps prevent them from happening. Even the subject serves as the first point that requires solutions from the start.

Usually, the larger a construction project, the more likely it is to be prone to accidents. This is due to the fact that the plan employs more workers with a higher number of equipment and tools. To avoid any of them, all construction project executors need to lay out preventive efforts. Below is the list for that.

Employee training

First of all, the project owners or managers conduct worker training on safety issues. They cover possible accidents arising from the project type and how to wear personal protective tools correctly. These include hard hats, gloves, and wear packs. Another key topic relates to emergency efforts. Employers should know how to escape from fire or an explosion when it occurs.

Good site handling

The previous types of accidents give a hint at how crucial good site management is. Forgetting to put the cables in their places may harm those who incidentally trip on them. A site or building manager should check the environment several times a day. They ensure proper placement of all tools, including small items like pliers, scissors, and gauges.

Enough shield gears

The number of protective gear and equipment must meet the necessity. This is especially critical for those who work daily on the project site. Some extras should be available for external parties who visit the site, although for once only. Each labourer needs to report to the manager if one of the gears is broken.

Equipment upkeep

Heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, hoists, or graders, requires regular upkeep. Failing to do so may cause accidents that involve the operators and others. A broken brake system in a bulldozer may lead to serious hazards. In this case, the operator can’t control the bulldozer; hence, it may hit humans or walls.

Regular safety meeting

Holding regular safety meetings is another solution to prevent any casualties. This should occur every day or once every two days to ensure every stakeholder follows the measures. The meeting serves as a hearing session where the workers can express their thoughts. Besides, putting clear signage acts as a communication tool that everyone can read and remind themselves of all the time.