Construction Site Safety Guide: 5 Things You Need to Know

Almost one construction worker is injured every day around the world when trying to perform their daily duties. It is a dangerous profession that comes with a lot of risks. However, this does not mean you cannot make sure you are safe when on the job. There are more than enough guidelines and regulations that you can follow to guarantee your safety as a construction worker. The following are directions you can follow to make sure of your safety.

1. Use the Right Protective Gear
   It is essential to wear the right clothes for the job. As a construction worker, this mostly means you put on protective gear. Protective gear could be the difference between getting hurt or not. The following are examples where having the right type of dressing can make a huge difference.

• If you are involved in installing manufactured stone and natural stones such as quartz and granite, you are at risk of silica exposure. Therefore, you must wear breathing masks when installing such material to make your work does not affect your health.
• If you are working on a slippery surface, make sure to wear rubber footwear to prevent you from falling.
• Use a back brace in case you are lifting heavy objects. This way, you will prevent back pains, which could be fatal.

1. Ensure You Are Safe Loading and Unloading Equipment
   It does not matter which construction site you working on; there is always a chance that a piece of equipment could roll over. This way, it is essential the ramps you use are cleared and straight. You should also make sure there is enough space between you and the equipment in case something goes wrong.
   A good example is when you are unloading stone slabs such as marble and granite. Natural stones are shipped in with wood supports, to prevent them from shifting positions inside the container. When the slabs arrive at the site, employees unloading them have to orderly remove the supports to prevent them from being trapped or crashed from unanticipated shifts of the stones.
   Make sure you get guidance when unloading the equipment. You could do this using help from a co-worker.
2. Be Careful When Climbing on and off Equipment
   It is a common incident to fall off or gets stuck on a piece of equipment when trying to climb or alight. If such an event occurs, it can cause serious harm. Because of this, there are a few steps recommended for construction workers to avoid fatal injuries.

• When climbing on a piece of equipment, make sure your boots are free of mud.
• You should also ensure you are wearing gloves to make sure you have a decent grip when you grab on.
• It is also essential to have a three-point stance; this will prevent you from losing your footing at any given time.
• Make sure you never stretch to grab onto a handle or try to get on or off a piece of equipment when you are carrying something.
• Never jump off a piece of equipment; this is one of the most common ways construction workers get hurt.

1. Be Mindful of Your Surrounding
   Construction sites are one of the busiest places you will find out there. You might be having a break, but some work could still be underway on the other side. Because of this, it is essential to be aware of your surroundings at all times.
   No one ever imagines that an accident can occur when they are taking some time off to catch their breath. But one moment of unawareness may lead to an individual getting hit on the head by a falling object or getting run over by a machine.
2. Be Cautious When Climbing a Ladder or Stairs
   If you are a frequent climber of a ladder or stairs, then there are precautions you need to take to make sure of your safety.

• Make sure to inspect the ladder or stairs before you step on them.
• Check for weak links or broken parts.
• Make sure the ladders or stairs is clean, and never use a metal ladder when it is rainy, or the conditions are wet.
• Use aerial lifts, if available for they are a safer option compared to a ladder.
• When picking up your ladder, pick one that is three or four steps taller than the location you want to reach.
• Move the ladder as you work, never try to overreach, as it can easily lead to an accident.
• When climbing and descending, keep your hands free, keeping all the tools in the tool belt.

Final Thought
The above are safety tips that are meant to make sure everyone is safe in a construction site. While they might seem like common practices, they are still frequently ignored by most employees. Every worker needs to realize that accidents happen, and everything they do can potentially lead to an accident. Therefore, they need to be keen at all times.