Construction Worker Safety Guidance
On a building site, the company carrying out the work and the site managers have a legal responsibility to look out for the safety and wellbeing of their employees, managing any possible risks and overseeing the project to identify potential areas of danger.
However, that is not to say construction employees do not have to look after their own safety and well-being when at work. Individuals working in construction must ensure they follow existing guidance, wear the appropriate PPE, and are trained and confident in operating machinery and power tools.
This guide will outline some of the things construction workers need to consider when working on a building site, as well as detail their responsibilities and discuss how they can work together to look out for each other's safety.
Before a job begins
There are main pieces of information employees should check they are provided with before they begin a job.
1. Inductions
Workers must be given a suitable induction to the site by their superiors and informed of all health and safety matters. This includes the layout of the site, specific areas, and where essential areas (such as health and safety and break rooms) are.
NEVER start a job without an induction
2. Training
Proper information and training need to be given for particular jobs being carried out that may involve specialist tool hire, as well as the specific risks that are associated with the task and any extra precautions needed for safety reasons.
Individuals also take responsibility for ensuring training is up to date if they are self-employed and responsible for their own training, or if they have stated they have the existing training needed for the job.
3. Emergency protocols
Workers need to have a full understanding of the rules of the site and the emergency procedures they may need to follow if anything should happen. While it is the responsibility of the site manager to convey this information, workers must remember that they have to step forward if they are unsure about anything or have any enquiries.
Simple construction site safety rules
4. Wear PPE at all times
Specific jobs may require specialised PPE, such as masks and eye protection when working with sawdust or fumes. But when moving around on site, basic safety protection must always be worn.
This includes a hard hat, high-vis clothing for increased visibility and protective footwear. Skin should also be covered as much as possible, to protect from hazards.
5. Follow signs
Safety signs are often the first step managers and site managers put in place to inform workers and visitors of dangers and rules. These should be appropriately placed around the site to increase health and safety and awareness.
Workers need to follow these signs, always looking out for what is around them and what the signs are telling them. Workers must also know what all the signs mean, from the colours on display to what it is telling them.
6. Keep everything tidy
This is a team effort, but if you are using equipment or are in charge of a particular area, you should keep everything tidy. This is important for safety, but also so everyone knows what is happening and where everything is kept.
Slips and trips account for a large percentage of injuries every single year. Pay particular attention to escape routes, paths and other high-access areas.
Tidy away tools when not in use, ensuring nothing is left plugged in and there are no power cords blocking the way. Store tools properly, which will increase both site safety and security, and help with organisation. Blades should always be covered and it should be clear where they are kept.
Clear debris and dust immediately, and clean essential areas such as food and break areas after use and at the end of every day for others.
7. Always follow general safety rules
Safety guidance will be both general and site-specific. Never cut corners believing that it will get the job done quicker, or it won't apply to you.
Don't think you can work at height without the proper safety barriers as you will only be up there for two minutes, for example.
8. Report issues
Whether the equipment is unsafe or damaged, this all needs to be reported. This is for the safety of the user and everyone else on site.
Issues may also need to be logged, in regards to causing downtime. It is not worth trying to bypass this--incidents can occur in such times.
9. Use the correct tools for the job
If you don't have powerful enough tools for the job, or the tools aren't right, don't try and get by. Inform a site manager you need different tools, or you cannot do the job. Using the wrong tools, or tools which have not been checked over, means a higher risk of injury.
Report any issues with tools immediately.
10. Do pre-checks on tools
Tools on hire from Speedy are checked before every hire contract, but you are still responsible for checking a tool is in good working order and is safe to use before commencing work. This is particularly important if others have used the tool before you.
Your tool training should cover how to do checks, and you can also contact your local Speedy depot for any advice on tools if required.
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