There are danger s and risks in all lines of work, but construction is an industry that can be particularly hazardous and there are many dangers that workers face each day. It is the employer’s responsibility to create a safe work environment for their workers and it is vital that you are providing the right safety equipment for your team.
What Safety Risks Are There?
There are many safety risks to be aware of in construction. HSE reports that around 25% of accidents on construction sites are slips, trips and falls often due to uneven surfaces. Working at height is also a major risk and accidents resulting from this can be serious and fatal. Other safety hazards to be aware of include moving objects, electricity, material handling and noise exposure.
There are many safety risks, but there are a number of safety tools and pieces of equipment that can be used to create a safe working environment.
Hardhats
Hardhats are vital on a construction site and everyone should be wearing one at all times. These can provide essential protection to the head, which can stop slips, trips and falls and items falling from height being an issue.
Goggles
Goggles will protect the eyes while allowing workers to carry out their roles safely. Construction work often involves tasks that can create dust and debris in the air, so it is vital that people are able to protect their eyes while working.
Masks
Following, there are also respiratory hazards when working in construction. Concrete dust, drywall and even asbestos are serious issues that need to be considered. Masks can provide essential respiratory protection that can prevent serious lung diseases from occurring.
Protective Gloves
There is nothing more important than your worker’s hands, but they can suffer a lot of damage throughout the day. This is why protective gloves are key, especially when handling heavy-duty equipment, machinery or materials.
Ear Plugs
Hearing damage should not be overlooked as a hazard in construction as consistent exposure to loud noises can do irreversible damage. Construction sites can be incredibly loud and noisy, especially for those operating machines like a jackhammer. Ear plugs provide essential protection to the ears and hearing so that workers can work safely and with confidence each day.
These are a few essential safety tools that every construction worker needs to have access to when on the job. These safety tools will provide essential protection against the biggest threats and allow people to work with confidence each day.
