Be Seen Be Safe: Improving Site Visibility

Improving Construction Site Visibility

On dark nights, in shaded enclosed areas, and in bad weather, pedestrians and construction workers on worksites are vulnerable to accidents and incidents.

Workers need to see where they are going when on site, and what they are doing with power tools, during a construction project. If there are vehicles and plant machinery moving around, drivers and operators need to be able to see where they are going and notice hazards, such as pedestrians.

This means you need to install site lighting and have a plan in place for the provision of reflective, high-vis clothing. Visibility is both a personal and a site-wide issue with all parties requiring input and responsibility.

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Below, we will go into some of the details on how to help improve safety and visibility on a construction site.

1. Wear High Visibility Clothing

Reflective, high visibility clothing is the most essential step towards protecting yourself. This will mean you are visible in general lighting, and also in the glare of headlights if there is any plant machinery or vehicles on site.

Coats, trousers, jackets, and hoodies are all available, so visibility outfits can be adapted to suit both the person and the type of work being done.

Most construction sites should specify a basic level of high vis workwear. It should be worn before coming on to site, and until leaving.

2. Light Your Site

Site lighting is really vital. Without it, the reflective clothing won’t be as effective either. Lighting can ensure people can see where they are going, what they are doing and spot any hazards.

This is important during night work, when it is dark in winter and for overnight security if people, such as security guards, will still have access to your site. But bear in mind that visibility may also be poor in shaded areas around buildings or machinery, and temporary lighting can help here.

3. Use Lone Worker Devices

Lone worker devices, such as portable two-way radios, mean nobody is ever completely isolated, especially when working alone. Regular check-ins are a good idea, so when actual visibility is not possible, communication is still in place in real time.

A buddy system is even more ideal, but not always possible. Just ensure all individual workers can get in contact with somebody else in the team should there be an issue or emergency.

4. Use Personal Lighting

As well as the site lighting which illuminates the area, it is also a good idea for individual workers to have their own lighting. Whether this is torches, headlamps or inspection lights, they will increase individual visibility and allow people to cater visibility to their own individual requirements.

5. Install Fencing to Limit Areas

You may think that there is no point in illuminating areas which are not going to be used, which does make sense. But you need to ensure workers are closed off from going here, especially if it is dark.

Using fencing, such as pedestrian barriers, to limit access to areas which don’t need to be in use. You may also want to use fencing to limit where vehicles go, reducing their blind spots.

6. Use Signage

Signs to remind people to wear their high-vis clothing and safety PPE, and use personal lighting, are essential too. This way, any issues can be rectified as soon as possible.

Signs can also be placed around any areas where vehicles have access to, which warn pedestrians to double-check nothing is currently on the road.

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Open a Speedy account today online or instore, so you can hire what you need when you need it the most.

We have a range of items which will help your construction site run smoothly, from PPE to improve visibility to all of your lighting needs.