The Importance of Occupational Health and Safety Standards in Construction

23 March 2017

Employers have the responsibility to keep their employees safe on the job each day. Nowhere is this as important as it is in the construction industry. Construction sites are full of hazards that can cause serious injuries and illnesses when the construction company does not adhere to certain occupational health and safety standards. In fact, construction companies need to set up their own plan that includes all the regulations of their local state or territory to ensure that they are in compliance at all times. By doing so, they prevent risk of site lock downs, fines and possible lawsuits from injuries or illnesses caused from accidents on the building sites.

Possible Hazards on a Building Site

• Falling objects from the buildings is a common hazard on construction sites. Workers occasionally lose their grip on tools or materials for one example. If someone is walking underneath this area, they can get hit on the head or other parts of the body.
• Equipment such as nail guns, jackhammers or cranes can malfunction, which may lead to injuries. While certain mishaps may not be serious, others can cause severe injuries or even death.
• Employee misbehaviour is another hazard on a construction site. When the construction company has workers who like to clown around in dangerous places, the risk of bodily harm is high.
• Exposure to chemicals and other dangerous substances can lead to skin burns, respiratory issues and long term health problems. In addition, workers can inhale dust from sanding and other building processes that also can cause illnesses or temporary unpleasant reactions.

How to Prevent Accidents

One effective way to prevent accidents is by maintaining the equipment properly so that it can operate in an optimal manner. This will reduce the risk of malfunctions occurring on the job site. On top of this, you need to train your employees in occupational health and safety standards and methods to provide them the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties safely each day.

Protective Measures to Avoid Injury and Illness

Wearing protective gear will safeguard against injury and illnesses. Examples of this gear include hard hats, steel-toed shoes or boots, safety glasses and respiratory safety masks.

For further facts about this topic, or our services and company, contact Sharp Welding and Crane Hire. We provide clients with a wide assortment of services from steel fabrication to crane hire with fully trained riggers, dogmen, crane drivers and boilermakers. All of our employees understand the importance of adhering to occupational health and safety standards in construction on work sites.