Construction site safety

Construction Site Hazards and Safety Measures
– Falls, electrocution, crush injuries, and caught-between injuries are the top causes of occupational fatalities on construction sites.
– Limited or improper training and supervision of workers contribute to failures in hazard identification.
– Areas with limited training include design for safety, safety inspection, and monitoring safety.
– Falls are the leading cause of injury in the construction industry, particularly for elder and untrained workers.
– Motor vehicle crashes are another major safety hazard on construction sites.
– Hazards also include overexposure to heat and humidity, noise levels, asbestos, solvents, and manual handling activities.
– Proper training and precautions should be taken to mitigate these hazards and protect construction workers.
– Site preparation, providing scaffolds, fall protection systems, proper ladder length, clear stairways and walkways, crane inspection and operator training, and protective systems for trenches are important hazard controls on construction sites.

Infectious Diseases in Construction
– Construction workers are at risk of contracting infectious diseases such as pneumonia, silicotuberculosis, and tetanus.
– Certain construction activities, like exposure to inorganic dust, increase the risk of death from infectious diseases.
– Infection prevention and control (IPC) plans should be included in construction site safety plans.
– Clear communication and mandatory training are crucial for successful implementation of IPC guidelines.
– The CDC provides COVID-19 guidelines specifically for construction workers.
– Construction workers can be exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 at work.
– Safety measures should be implemented at construction sites to prevent the spread of infection.
– Workers over age 65 and those with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.
– Hispanic and Black workers are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
– Nearly 60% of the construction workforce had at least one COVID-19 risk factor in 2019.

Road Construction Safety
– Workers in highway work zones face various hazards and risk of injury or death.
– In 2011, there were 119 fatal occupational fatalities in road construction sites.
– In 2010, about 20,000 construction workers were injured in work zones.
– Causes of injuries include being struck by objects, falls, overexertion, transportation incidents, and exposure to harmful substances.
– Several states have implemented campaigns to raise awareness of construction zone dangers.

Education and Training for Construction Safety
– Proper training and education are essential for preventing injuries and deaths in construction.
– Coaching construction site foremen to prioritize safety reduces work-related accidents.
– Including safety in daily verbal exchanges with workers improves overall safety culture.
– Digital tools, like online inductions and safety measurement systems, can enhance site safety.
– Construction companies can save money by investing in safety programs rather than spending on injuries.
– Workers use the same language for effective communication.
– Mobile apps facilitate knowledge sharing.
– Traditional face-to-face safety knowledge sharing is practiced.
– Proper usage of electronics and equipment is ensured.
– Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment are conducted.

Construction Site Management and Regulations
– Construction site manager oversees safety regulations.
– Daily safety audits and inspections are conducted.
– Managers have entry-level experience or higher degrees.
– Excavation work requires proper notification.
– Access and egress are important for excavation safety.
– National Safety Stand Down is an annual campaign that raises awareness about falls in construction.
– OSHA sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards in the United States.
– European Agency for Safety and Health at Work coordinates actions in the EU.
– The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for standards enforcement in the UK.
– Employers in Hong Kong must provide different degrees of protection based on the level of risk.
– Reasonable precautions are required to reduce risk if the dangerous task cannot be eliminated.
– Employers are not required to remove every risk but must exercise discretion.
– The immediate employer and principal contractor are both liable for safety. Source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_site_safety