Accidents at Construction Sites – Causes and How to Prevent Them
Construction site accidents are common, but most of the time, they are avoidable. Many factors cause accidents and injuries to workers at the construction site.
Let us look at some of the common causes and prevention of accidents at the construction site.
Falls
Construction workers are often required to perform their tasks on raised surfaces such as ladders, scaffolds, roofs, etc. Working at the height of four feet from the ground or more can put a worker at significant risk of falling causing serious injuries.
Equipment failure
At a construction site, the workers use a myriad of heavy and seemingly dangerous equipment. A faulty machine or equipment is one of the major causes of injury.
Accidents due to equipment failure could occur due to defective manufacturing. However, in most cases, it happens due to overuse, misuse, poor maintenance and improper training of workers on how to use the equipment.
Some of the common examples of equipment failures, include defective hydraulic line, loose cables, and defective parts, etc. One of the most common and widely used equipment at the construction sites are cranes and forklifts that should be operated by trained and skilled workers to prevent an unforeseen circumstance.
Electrocutions
One of the top five causes of workplace deaths globally is electrocution; it accounts for nearly 8% of all workplace injuries and fatalities. The causes of electrocution may vary, but most of these accidents can be easily prevented by taking appropriate precautionary steps.
Other common causes of accidents at construction sites include being struck by an object, crane accident, fire and explosions, getting caught between materials or objects, overexertion, etc.
Now that you know the various causes of accidents, let us look at the preventive measures.
When a worker at the construction site gets injured in an accident, it affects their livelihood. Construction site accidents can be prevented if organisations take appropriate safety measures.
Let us look at the preventive measures companies must adopt.
-
Provide appropriate training to workers
First and foremost, construction companies must conduct safety induction sessions regularly for the workers at the construction site. The trainer must also inform the workers about the safety policies and standards.
-
Make PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) kit’s mandatory for all workers
All workers at the construction site must be compulsorily wear the personal protective gears during working hours.
-
Use barricades
To provide a safe working space for the workers and prevent intrusion and accidents, the company must use appropriate barricades for different types of work. This will help restrict access to the high-risk zones.
-
Store the tools and equipment correctly
Another critical aspect of safety standards at the workplace is to take good care of the various equipment and machinery. Before using any machine, workers must inspect it thoroughly to ensure that it is in proper working condition. The tools and equipment must be checked regularly. All the broken or malfunctioning parts must be repaired or replaced promptly to avoid injuries. The workers must be trained and encouraged to store it correctly, adhering to the safety standards.
Modular Construction – A Safe Construction Method
Over the years, modular construction has gained immense popularity in India. It allows you to complete the project in 1/3rd the time compared to traditional RCC construction methods. In terms of safety, modular construction has a distinct edge. This is because, in modular construction, most of the construction work takes place at an off-site location in a factory setting.
Posted in Nest-In on Mar 02, 2022.
Contact us
Recent Post
5 Reasons Why Portable Office Cabins are the Best Prefab Solution for Businesses
Sustainable Infrastructure in India: Growing Need for Prefab Construction for EV Charging
Why is Prefab a Great New-age Construction Option?
Category
- HabiNest 39
- Nestudio 22
- EzyNest 13
- Smart EzyNest 5
- MobiNest 18
- Covid Offerings 3
- Nest-In 4
- ChargeNest 4
Add comment