5 construction site safety practices - Revision history

Editor at 17:38, 30 November 2021

2021-11-30T17:38:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:38, 30 November 2021
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	For more information see: Hazardous materials.		For more information see: Hazardous materials.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* CDM.		* CDM.
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	* Toolbox talks.		* Toolbox talks.
	* Work at height regulations.		* Work at height regulations.
		+	* Workplace drug testing methods.

	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]		[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]

Designing Buildings at 07:32, 22 February 2021

2021-02-22T07:32:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:32, 22 February 2021
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	* Work at height regulations.		* Work at height regulations.

−	[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]

Designing Buildings: moved 5 Best Construction Site Safety Practices to 5 construction site safety practices

2020-03-13T17:06:40Z

moved 5 Best Construction Site Safety Practices to 5 construction site safety practices

← Older revision

Revision as of 17:06, 13 March 2020

Designing Buildings at 17:06, 13 March 2020

2020-03-13T17:06:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:06, 13 March 2020
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	Working at height might come with a great view, but the dangers multiply the higher the structure gets. The Work at Height Regulations (2005) came into force on 6 April 2005. They are intended to prevent deaths and injuries caused by falls at work.		Working at height might come with a great view, but the dangers multiply the higher the structure gets. The Work at Height Regulations (2005) came into force on 6 April 2005. They are intended to prevent deaths and injuries caused by falls at work.

−	For more information see: Work at height regulations	+	For more information see: Work at height regulations.

	= Making the job less risky =		= Making the job less risky =
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	Frequent staff meetings that will involve an expert, for instance about fire safety, should be a regular occurrence. The more construction workers are instructed on how to safely operate equipment the more protected will they be at their respective jobs.		Frequent staff meetings that will involve an expert, for instance about fire safety, should be a regular occurrence. The more construction workers are instructed on how to safely operate equipment the more protected will they be at their respective jobs.

−	For more information see: ~~Site induction and Toolbox talks.~~	+	For more information see:

−	== Dealing with ~~toxic chemicals =~~=	+	= Dealing with hazardous materials =

−	~~One of the biggest hazards found~~ on ~~nearly every construction site in~~ the ~~world is~~ the ~~use and storage of toxic chemicals~~. ~~Materials~~ such as ~~lead, silica, asbestos~~, and wood polishers are all [http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/toxic-chemistry-health-environment-pollution/ considered toxic] and should be stored in a different location from the rest of the building materials.	+	Many workplaces include hazardous substances (solids, liquids or gases) exposure to which can have negative affects on the body through contact with the skin, inhalation or ingestion. Exposure to hazardous substances can result in short or long term health effects. This includes serious health problems such as cancer, asthma and dermatitis.

−	The same goes for hazardous chemicals commonly found at construction sites like cadmium, zinc, mercury, and beryllium. Workers should wear additional personal protective gear when handling them. Furthermore, not all employees ~~should be allowed~~ to ~~have access to them~~. In the ~~case~~ of ~~a major spill-out, there should exist evacuation procedures and hazmat units should be called instantaneously~~.	+	There is a common law duty placed on all employers to protect employees and members of the public as well as general health and safety legislation that is applicable to employers and workplaces. There is also the specific legislation of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

−	~~There are countless~~ more safety practices applicable to construction sites but the 5 we have listed above form the core of workers’ safety. The construction industry is booming today but that doesn’t mean that you should cut corners on worksite safety. Only a safe workforce is a happy and productive workforce.	+	For more information see: Hazardous materials.

−	[[Category:~~Education~~]]	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
		+
		+	* CDM.
		+	* Hazardous materials.
		+	* Health and safety.
		+	* Personal protective equipment.
		+	* Site induction.
		+	* Toolbox talks.
		+	* Work at height regulations.
		+
		+	[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]

Designing Buildings at 17:02, 13 March 2020

2020-03-13T17:02:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:02, 13 March 2020
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	= The danger of falling =		= The danger of falling =

−	Working at height might come with a great view, but the dangers multiply the higher the structure gets. ~~On high builds, every new floor needs to be secured with a barrier~~. ~~In some cases, even fluorescent tape will get the job done but in order~~ to ~~be totally sure you should add metal barriers along the edges~~.	+	Working at height might come with a great view, but the dangers multiply the higher the structure gets. The Work at Height Regulations (2005) came into force on 6 April 2005. They are intended to prevent deaths and injuries caused by falls at work.

−	Moreover, workers performing tasks on beams protruding from the main structure should be attached to lifelines which will act as bungee ropes in case of a fall. Elevator shafts, skylights, and vents holes pose a danger of their own, so they should be sealed off. Finally, be sure to clearly mark any excavations in the ground, as these holes can be quite wide in diameter, with steep edges that cannot possibly cushion a fall.	+	For more information see: Work at height regulations

−	== Making the job less risky ==	+	= Making the job less risky =

−	Apart from using the standard protection measures, another ~~way to go~~ is to eliminate most of the possible risks~~. The risk of a fall will always be there but there is a lot that you can do when it comes to fire safety, for instance~~.	+	Apart from using the standard protection measures, another strategy is to eliminate most of the possible risks.

−	~~Soliciting the help of building inspection companies will help you identify the biggest threats~~ to ~~workers’~~ safety~~. Even [https://skillsify.com.au/course/white-card-training/ workers taking~~ a ~~white card course] need to get acquainted with~~ the ~~most common risks in order~~ to ~~avoid them in advance. Once you know what the risks are on a specific construction site~~, ~~it will be easier to implement countermeasures that your workers will be an essential part of~~.	+	The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM Regulations) are intended to ensure that health and safety issues are properly considered during a project’s development so that the risk of harm to those who build, use and maintain structures is reduced.

−	== Education and protection ==	+	They require that as the design progresses, risks are identified and eliminated and residual risks are reduced and managed and that designers, principal designers, principal contractors and contractors take account of the 'principles of prevention' in carrying out their duties.
		+
		+	For more information see: CDM regulations.
		+
		+	= Education and protection =

	You can equip a worker with protective gear from head to toe but you as the employer shouldn’t skip the most important step in construction work safety: education. How are the workers going to know what the potential risks are if no one has briefed them about all the perils?		You can equip a worker with protective gear from head to toe but you as the employer shouldn’t skip the most important step in construction work safety: education. How are the workers going to know what the potential risks are if no one has briefed them about all the perils?

−	Frequent staff meetings that will involve an expert, for instance about fire safety, should be a regular occurrence. The more construction workers are instructed on how to safely operate equipment the more protected will they be at their respective jobs. ~~A word of advice, don’t schedule these briefings too often, as it might backfire on you, leaving the workers fed up with sitting hours on end~~.	+	Frequent staff meetings that will involve an expert, for instance about fire safety, should be a regular occurrence. The more construction workers are instructed on how to safely operate equipment the more protected will they be at their respective jobs.
		+
		+	For more information see: Site induction and Toolbox talks.

	== Dealing with toxic chemicals ==		== Dealing with toxic chemicals ==

Designing Buildings at 16:57, 13 March 2020

2020-03-13T16:57:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:57, 13 March 2020
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−	There are jobs more perilous than others and working on an active construction site is definitely one of them. Heavy loads, working at height, and heavy-duty machinery all make a typical construction a dangerous place to stay, let alone work at.	+	= Introduction =

−	~~Because of such a high risk of injury, there~~ are ~~safety practices that the employer introduces to keep their workforce safe at all times. These practices include~~ more than ~~simply forcing the workers to put~~ on ~~protective goggles~~ of ~~a helmet~~. ~~We have singled out the 5 best~~ construction site ~~safety practices and procedures that will ensure safety for each and every worker~~.	+	Some jobs are more perilous than others and working on an active construction site is definitely one of them. Heavy loads, working at height, and heavy-duty machinery all make a typical construction site a dangerous place.

−	~~== The importance~~ of ~~personal protection gear ==~~	+	Because of such a high risk of injury, there are safety practices that the employer introduces to keep their workforce safe at all times. These practices include more than simply making the workers put on protective goggles of a hard hat. We have singled out 5 construction site safety practices and procedures that can help ensure safety.

−	~~In order for individual workers to feel safe at the construction site, they should be issued proper protective gear.~~ The ~~parts~~ of ~~the body that are most prone to injury are the extremities and the head, with the face being especially vulnerable.~~	+	= The importance of personal protective equipment =

−	~~Workers should wear safety goggles~~ to ~~protect their eyes from sparks, toxic chemicals, wood chips, dust, and other hazards commonly found~~ at ~~a typical~~ construction site. The ~~aforementioned helmets made from Plexiglas~~ are ~~mandatory~~ and ~~they should be equipped with shock-absorption pads~~, ~~much like~~ the ~~ones polyurethane military helmets have~~.	+	In order for individual workers to feel safe at the construction site, they should be issued proper personal protective equipment (PPE). The parts of the body that are most prone to injury are the extremities and the head, with the face being especially vulnerable.

−	~~Furthermore~~, ~~the~~ helmet should cover the ear and possibly the neck, depending on the type of hazard a particular worker is exposed to~~. On the worker’s part, they should maintain the gear clean and operational to ensure it does its job when needed since a muddy anti-slip shoe won’t provide much traction~~.	+	Workers should wear safety goggles to protect their eyes from sparks, toxic chemicals, wood chips, dust, and other hazards commonly found on a typical construction site. Hard hats are mandatory and should be equipped with shock-absorption pads. The helmet should cover the ear and possibly the neck, depending on the type of hazard a particular worker is exposed to.

−	~~== The danger of falling ==~~	+	On the worker’s part, they should maintain the gear clean and operational.

−	Working at height might come with a great view, but the dangers multiply the higher the structure gets. On ~~skyscraper~~ builds, every new floor needs to be secured with a barrier. In some cases, even fluorescent tape will get the job done but in order to be totally sure you should add metal barriers along the edges.	+	For more information see: Personal protective equipment.
		+
		+	= The danger of falling =
		+
		+	Working at height might come with a great view, but the dangers multiply the higher the structure gets. On high builds, every new floor needs to be secured with a barrier. In some cases, even fluorescent tape will get the job done but in order to be totally sure you should add metal barriers along the edges.

	Moreover, workers performing tasks on beams protruding from the main structure should be attached to lifelines which will act as bungee ropes in case of a fall. Elevator shafts, skylights, and vents holes pose a danger of their own, so they should be sealed off. Finally, be sure to clearly mark any excavations in the ground, as these holes can be quite wide in diameter, with steep edges that cannot possibly cushion a fall.		Moreover, workers performing tasks on beams protruding from the main structure should be attached to lifelines which will act as bungee ropes in case of a fall. Elevator shafts, skylights, and vents holes pose a danger of their own, so they should be sealed off. Finally, be sure to clearly mark any excavations in the ground, as these holes can be quite wide in diameter, with steep edges that cannot possibly cushion a fall.

Sarah Smith at 08:28, 28 February 2020

2020-02-28T08:28:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:28, 28 February 2020
Line 13:		Line 13:
	== The danger of falling ==		== The danger of falling ==

−	Working at height might come with a great view, but the dangers multiply the higher the structure gets. On skyscraper builds, every new floor needs to be secured with a barrier. In some cases, even fluorescent tape will get the job done but in order to be totally sure you should add metal barriers along the edges.	+	Working at height might come with a great view, but the dangers multiply the higher the structure gets. On skyscraper builds, every new floor needs to be secured with a barrier. In some cases, even fluorescent tape will get the job done but in order to be totally sure you should add metal barriers along the edges.

	Moreover, workers performing tasks on beams protruding from the main structure should be attached to lifelines which will act as bungee ropes in case of a fall. Elevator shafts, skylights, and vents holes pose a danger of their own, so they should be sealed off. Finally, be sure to clearly mark any excavations in the ground, as these holes can be quite wide in diameter, with steep edges that cannot possibly cushion a fall.		Moreover, workers performing tasks on beams protruding from the main structure should be attached to lifelines which will act as bungee ropes in case of a fall. Elevator shafts, skylights, and vents holes pose a danger of their own, so they should be sealed off. Finally, be sure to clearly mark any excavations in the ground, as these holes can be quite wide in diameter, with steep edges that cannot possibly cushion a fall.
Line 35:		Line 35:
	The same goes for hazardous chemicals commonly found at construction sites like cadmium, zinc, mercury, and beryllium. Workers should wear additional personal protective gear when handling them. Furthermore, not all employees should be allowed to have access to them. In the case of a major spill-out, there should exist evacuation procedures and hazmat units should be called instantaneously.		The same goes for hazardous chemicals commonly found at construction sites like cadmium, zinc, mercury, and beryllium. Workers should wear additional personal protective gear when handling them. Furthermore, not all employees should be allowed to have access to them. In the case of a major spill-out, there should exist evacuation procedures and hazmat units should be called instantaneously.

−	There are countless more safety practices applicable to construction sites but the 5 we have listed above form the core of workers’ safety. The construction industry is booming today but that doesn’t mean that you should cut corners on worksite safety. Only a safe workforce is a happy and productive workforce.	+	There are countless more safety practices applicable to construction sites but the 5 we have listed above form the core of workers’ safety. The construction industry is booming today but that doesn’t mean that you should cut corners on worksite safety. Only a safe workforce is a happy and productive workforce.

	[[Category:Education]]		[[Category:Education]]

Sarah Smith: Created page with "There are jobs more perilous than others and working on an active construction site is definitely one of them. Heavy loads, working at height, and heavy-duty machinery all make a..."

2020-02-28T08:26:35Z

Created page with "There are jobs more perilous than others and working on an active construction site is definitely one of them. Heavy loads, working at height, and heavy-duty machinery all make a..."

New page

There are jobs more perilous than others and working on an active construction site is definitely one of them. Heavy loads, working at height, and heavy-duty machinery all make a typical construction a dangerous place to stay, let alone work at.

Because of such a high risk of injury, there are safety practices that the employer introduces to keep their workforce safe at all times. These practices include more than simply forcing the workers to put on protective goggles of a helmet. We have singled out the 5 best construction site safety practices and procedures that will ensure safety for each and every worker.

== The importance of personal protection gear ==

In order for individual workers to feel safe at the construction site, they should be issued proper protective gear. The parts of the body that are most prone to injury are the extremities and the head, with the face being especially vulnerable.

Workers should wear safety goggles to protect their eyes from sparks, toxic chemicals, wood chips, dust, and other hazards commonly found at a typical construction site. The aforementioned helmets made from Plexiglas are mandatory and they should be equipped with shock-absorption pads, much like the ones polyurethane military helmets have.

Furthermore, the helmet should cover the ear and possibly the neck, depending on the type of hazard a particular worker is exposed to. On the worker’s part, they should maintain the gear clean and operational to ensure it does its job when needed since a muddy anti-slip shoe won’t provide much traction.

== The danger of falling ==

Working at height might come with a great view, but the dangers multiply the higher the structure gets. On skyscraper builds, every new floor needs to be secured with a barrier. In some cases, even fluorescent tape will get the job done but in order to be totally sure you should add metal barriers along the edges.

Moreover, workers performing tasks on beams protruding from the main structure should be attached to lifelines which will act as bungee ropes in case of a fall. Elevator shafts, skylights, and vents holes pose a danger of their own, so they should be sealed off. Finally, be sure to clearly mark any excavations in the ground, as these holes can be quite wide in diameter, with steep edges that cannot possibly cushion a fall.

== Making the job less risky ==

Apart from using the standard protection measures, another way to go is to eliminate most of the possible risks. The risk of a fall will always be there but there is a lot that you can do when it comes to fire safety, for instance.

Soliciting the help of building inspection companies will help you identify the biggest threats to workers’ safety. Even [https://skillsify.com.au/course/white-card-training/ workers taking a white card course] need to get acquainted with the most common risks in order to avoid them in advance. Once you know what the risks are on a specific construction site, it will be easier to implement countermeasures that your workers will be an essential part of.

== Education and protection ==

You can equip a worker with protective gear from head to toe but you as the employer shouldn’t skip the most important step in construction work safety: education. How are the workers going to know what the potential risks are if no one has briefed them about all the perils?

Frequent staff meetings that will involve an expert, for instance about fire safety, should be a regular occurrence. The more construction workers are instructed on how to safely operate equipment the more protected will they be at their respective jobs. A word of advice, don’t schedule these briefings too often, as it might backfire on you, leaving the workers fed up with sitting hours on end.

== Dealing with toxic chemicals ==

One of the biggest hazards found on nearly every construction site in the world is the use and storage of toxic chemicals. Materials such as lead, silica, asbestos, and wood polishers are all [http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/toxic-chemistry-health-environment-pollution/ considered toxic] and should be stored in a different location from the rest of the building materials.

The same goes for hazardous chemicals commonly found at construction sites like cadmium, zinc, mercury, and beryllium. Workers should wear additional personal protective gear when handling them. Furthermore, not all employees should be allowed to have access to them. In the case of a major spill-out, there should exist evacuation procedures and hazmat units should be called instantaneously.

There are countless more safety practices applicable to construction sites but the 5 we have listed above form the core of workers’ safety. The construction industry is booming today but that doesn’t mean that you should cut corners on worksite safety. Only a safe workforce is a happy and productive workforce.

[[Category:Education]]