10 Simple Ways to Prevent Construction Site Accidents (part 1 of 2)

Every day, thousands of construction sites across the country are in full operation with multiple workers tending to various tasks throughout the day and night. Too often, these workers are subject to injury because of unsafe working conditions – and that’s where you come in. Whether you are a business owner, site manager, or construction employee, it is important to be aware of how you can help reduce the number of accidents that occur on your construction site.

In this two-part series, we’re going to cover 10 ways that accidents on construction sites can be reduced. Here are the first five to get you started:

Use Proper Safety Equipment

This should go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway. Each and every person at a construction site must have the proper safety equipment for their specific job function and for the location itself. You can’t have people doing their jobs without hard hats, harnesses, eye protection, hearing protection, and other safety equipment that is imperative for their own safety and the safety of others. There is no such thing as having too much safety equipment. If you think that you or your workers are not being provided with the proper types of safety equipment, then you need to speak up before someone gets hurt.

Daily Safety Meetings

Although daily meetings might seem like overkill, the truth is that they work. These meetings present opportunities for managers and workers alike to express concerns, go over the safety rules, and discuss any mishaps that have occurred in the past and how to prevent them from happening again. Meetings provide a quick refresher on the safest practices that must be followed at all times, in addition to the presentation of any new regulations that crop up. By making sure that everyone on the construction site is on the same page in terms of safety, you’ll have less chance of suffering an accident.

Focus on Daylight Hours

Construction work being done at late night increases the likelihood of fatigue, while the low lighting conditions make a worker’s surroundings and other workers harder to see. Some construction jobs, especially if you’re working for the government, must be done at night because there are less traffic and activity. If that’s the case, then proper lighting (read: bright!) is a must. For other situations, however, requiring employees to work during nighttime hours isn’t worth the greater risk of injury.

Highly Visible Clothing

Most people think of reflective clothing and highly visible clothing as only being necessary when you’re working around moving traffic. While it is true that visibility is especially important when cars and trucks are moving past you, every construction worker should be wearing some type of clothing that is easier for people to see no matter where their work is being done. The more visible everyone is, the less chance you’ll experience an accident.

Regular Breaks

If you want safer and more productive job sites, then workers should be taking regular breaks (not to mention, it’s the law). Breaks on a regular schedule will allow employees to rest for a bit, eat a snack, and drink some water. This will help them stay energized and more alert throughout the day, thereby decreasing the chances of an accident.

If you’ve suffered a construction site accident, then you’re going to need a well-established injury attorney who has your best interest at heart. The lawyers at Mintz Law Firm understand your needs and wants and will fight to get what is fair. Reach out to us today for a free case evaluation.