Construction work can cause vibrations, and these vibrations can be quite dangerous. The vibrations pose health and safety risks for construction workers. They can also damage the equipment or negatively affect the workmanship and the quality of the product. Business owners should learn about these risks so that they can protect themselves from any potential lawsuits and fines. The supervisors present on construction sites should also be aware of the risks that vibrations pose and how to minimize their impact.
How Construction Workers Are Affected by These Vibrations
If your construction crew is exposed to excessive vibration, they may start to feel a number of different symptoms. Vibrations can disrupt their bodily functions like the flow of oxygen and nutrients. This can be quite dangerous and might even result in cell death or necrosis if their cells and tissues do not get enough oxygen and nutrients. There are other issues that can arise due to vibrations such as headaches, back pain, or even the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. In some instances, exposure to excessive vibration has even resulted in workers getting broken bones.
Modern construction sites must deal with more vibrations, and that is why this issue has become even more concerning. Recent studies suggest that the damage caused by vibrations is more common than what was assumed previously. There are a lot of different factors that can help determine if your workers are at risk due to excessive exposure to vibration. Whether you are dealing with high-risk conditions is something you can determine by examining the type and number of machines you are using. No two construction worksites are the same, and the location and type of equipment you are using are factors you need to consider when determining the safety precautions you need to take in order to avoid any injuries.
How to Know if You Are at Risk
Where there is construction activity, there is bound to be some vibration. Everyone who is working in the construction industry and works on and around job sites may be exposed to vibration caused by power tools and heavy equipment. The workers who are most at risk are those who usually work with handheld power tools. People working with hydraulic equipment or pneumatic tools are also at a high risk of vibration injuries. If you work with vibrating tools for an extended period of time, you are at great risk of damaging your muscles and tissues.
You need to be physically prepared before you start work to avoid any injuries. If you are using tools like hammer drills, chainsaws, chipping hammers, or scramblers, make sure to be extra careful. Whether you are a contractor or an industrial equipment supplier training workers on how to deal with the risks associated with vibration is essential. Before starting work on a construction site, make sure that your workers are aware of the risk that vibration poses to their health and are trained properly to minimize its impact.