The construction industry is a very important part of our world today and at the current rate of expansion it will be for some time to come. Unfortunately it is also a very dangerous occupation and thousands of people are injured or killed on construction sites each year. While the equipment operators are often involved in these accidents, more than half of the accidents involve workers on the ground, such as spotters, co-workers, passers-by who get too close, and general laborers. More often than not, these types of injuries aren’t minor things that can be taken care of with a first aid kit and an ambulance ends up being called in.
While accidents happen, in most cases these accidents are completely avoidable and would not happen if everyone observed the safety rules on the job site. These rules are in place for the safety of everyone and there are some rules that stay the same no matter where you are working.
High visibility clothing– In most cases, construction sites are very noisy areas and there are dozens of people crossing roadways at any time. Wearing high visibility clothing just makes sense in an area where heavy equipment is operating and more often than not the operators are wearing ear protection. Since you can’t count on being heard if you call out, it is wise to make sure that you are as visible as possible. Reflective vests, hats, T-shirts, or coats have saved many lives over the years.
Protective eyewear and hardhats- When you work on a construction site, there is almost always someone who is working above you. Since you must keep your eyes focused on what’s happening around you, chances are good that you won’t be looking up if someone drops a tool from above. If someone drops even a small item from a substantial height, it can cause a serious injury if it hits you. While a hardhat isn’t going to protect you from a dropped beam, it can certainly prevent serious injury in many cases.
Safety glasses are just as (if not more) important as a hardhat. Construction areas are full of debris that can cause eye injuries. Even if you aren’t operating the tool, debris from cutting tools can fly a significant distance and cause injury. Even the dust that seems to be ever present on job sites can cause injury to unprotected eyes.
While there are certainly many more rules on most construction sites, these are just a few that are generally standard no matter what type of construction you do. Things like hard hats, safety glasses, and high visibility clothing may seem simple, but the simple things that are easily forgotten can sometimes save a life.
