How To Avoid Construction Safety Violations

Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries to work in and yet there are many violations in construction safety that are common on-site and are contributing to many injuries and accidents.

• Ladders
  Unlike common belief, ladders are not for multi-purpose use. This needs to be strongly instilled as construction workers tend to make use of a single ladder to complete multiple tasks, which is clearly a violation. Using the wrong ladder for a certain job increases the possibility of workers experiencing preventable injuries. Fall happening from ladders makes up around eight percent of overall occupational fatalities. 
• Getting Struck By An Object
  The second common safety violation is “struck by” accidents. This could mean workers getting hit by machinery or falling materials, heavy equipment, etc. and there are multiple regulations in place to help prevent these violations. This violation can be avoided by

1. Effectively securing equipment, materials, and tools
2. Providing workers with high-visibility-enabled clothing
3. Stacking materials properly so they do not slide off
4. Training equipment operators to only work where there is a clear line of sight.

• Hazard Communication
  Hazard communication ensures that all on-site chemicals are being appropriately labeled and stored and so these labels should also include any potential for harm including how flammable the chemical is or what containers the material should be kept in. If this information is not written on the label, it needs to be included in the material safety data sheet. Hence, hazard communication violations happen when the material safety datasheet is not properly documented leading to workers dealing with potentially dangerous chemicals improperly. To avoid this

1. It can be ensured that crew members have access to hazard communication, whether through labels of the chemicals or a material safety data sheet. 
2. Contractors can also make it compulsory to update the datasheet every time someone handles the chemical.

• Electrocution
  Safety violations that lead to electrocution can result in injuries ranging from minor burns to more severe permanent nerve damage, death, and everything in between and to avoid these violations companies can;

1. Train workers about the dangers of energized industrial equipment supply.
2. Use lockout whenever performing maintenance.
3. Make sure that wiring methods and components are up to code.

• Scaffolding
  Workers can get seriously injured from this violation. When it comes down to it, this violation happens mostly because of poorly constructed equipment. For example, without properly nailing a scaffold to a mudsill, contractors take the risk of allowing the scaffold to move too freely. This can allow crew members to fall from the scaffold but creates the potential to injure others around it.

1. Partnering with a licensed contractor who has a detailed plan for assembling scaffolds appropriately can help here.
2. Ensuring damaged equipment is red-tagged and replaced is also important. This way, you will have a secure and safe scaffold for your team members.

• Getting Caught Between Objects
  Such safety violations happen when workers get injured from being caught between materials, equipment, vehicles, etc. Such accidents occur when project managers and contractors fail to follow general safety provisions and safety training standards. These violations can be avoided by;

1. Teaching workers the importance of being aware of their surroundings
2. Providing protective systems to be used for excavations and trenches
3. Prohibiting workers from wearing loose clothing on construction site
4. Emphasizing to workers the dangers of working between immovable equipment.