In 2019 in the United States alone, there were 5,333 fatal work injuries. That’s an increase of 2% from 2018.
Seeing this number makes you wonder, were these deaths preventable? As a business owner, employee safety is your top priority to keep you and your workers safe.
How can you increase employee safety, especially when it comes to construction sites? Read on to explore a complete guide on increasing safety in the workplace today!
Top Construction Risks
Employee health and safety are important since your workers can get caught between objects, suffer from electrocution, be hit by flying/falling objects, and if they don’t have proper communication it can increase their risks as well. Deaths due to explosions and fires thankfully are decreasing.
1. Wear Correct Protective Gear
You can check out a guide to custom printed safety vests in order to help protect your workers. When it comes to employee health and safety, this could mean the difference between a fatality and an injury.
Offer your workers the correct personal protective equipment to keep them safe for their job. This can include jackets, ear protection, helmets, safety goggles, etc.
2. Have Employee Safety Training
In construction environments, you’ll want your workers to learn all about employee health and safety to protect themselves and others. They need to understand the different risks that their job entails, and how to keep each other safe.
It’s also a good idea to train them to understand different life-saving techniques and first aid. You can register them for first aid and CPR courses at the CPR training Hamilton facilities. Construction safety is important since they might be working with heavy machinery, or at high heights which puts them at risk.Â
3. Follow OSHA Guidelines
First, make sure that your worksite maintains OSHA standards. Make sure that all tools are in proper condition.
Provide your workers with medical exams and training. Follow all rules and regulations of the OSHA Act.
4. Protect Mental Health
Mental health is just as important as physical health. You want to make sure that working conditions are as stress-free as possible for your workers. Make sure that there isn’t any abuse or discrimination that occurs at the workplace.
5. Communication
Workplace safety needs to include proper communication in order to decrease activities that could cause bodily harm. Different devices to encourage communication include headsets, smartphones, or walkie-talkies. Without proper communication, your workers might be in the dark about what to expect.
Proper communication also makes it more likely to get done with each project faster as well. This can also include making sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes down to increasing employee safety.
6. Documentation
Have documentation for others to review and to stay legally compliant. There are different licenses and registration that you might need in order to increase employee safety.
Before hiring workers, make sure that they have the proper certification that’s necessary. This protects you from having to deal with legal action or hiring someone with improper training.
If you do have someone get hurt on the job, you’re less likely to have workers applying to work at your location. Falls can be preventable because they could be due to not using the correct protective equipment, human error, or unstable work conditions.
Heavy Equipment Safety Tips
You should have supervision when it comes to keeping your employees safe with heavy machinery. Make sure that it’s always properly maintained as well.
Keep operating manuals handy for all of your workers, and make sure that they’re all properly trained before using machines. Workers should never run machinery without the proper guards.
If your worker has long hair, make sure that they tie it back. Don’t let them wear baggy clothing while operating heavy machinery.
Ergonomics Safety Tips
First, have measures to protect workers from musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. Let them know about any hazards involved in the job itself.
Make sure to perform audits of different hazards on the job. Check with workers to ensure that they’re using preventative measures while they work.
Train workers on using the proper lifting methods and body mechanics. Ensure that each worker takes the right amount of breaks throughout the day.
Have your workers report any symptoms or signs of injury to you or a manager immediately. Employees need to avoid repetitive activities which can increase their risk of injuries.
Illness Safety Tips
This can include exposure to a physical, chemical, or biological agent. They can include noise exposure, bacteria, viruses, and asbestos.
Provide your employees with the correct clean-up facilities and toilets. Ensure that there’s always soap and running water on site.
Each worker needs to have proper hearing protection in order to prevent hearing loss. In order to prevent a disease from asbestos, pay attention to the number of hours that your workers are exposed to it. All employees need to be trained on the proper use of protective equipment.
If your employees are exposed to hazardous substances, they’ll need the proper respiratory protection. It needs to at least meet the exposure limit. Provide them with clear signs that they can read in order to know how to keep themselves safe.
Understanding How To Increase Employee Safety
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of what to expect when it comes to employee safety. Take your time deciding what your construction environment needs and doesn’t have. Remember that it should be your top priority to keep yourself and your workers safe.
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