According to OSHA, the top four causes of construction fatalities are falls, struck-by, caught in and between and electrocutions. Here are some guidelines to help prevent them.
Prevent Falls:
- Wear and use personal fall arrest equipment.
- Install and maintain perimeter protection.
- Cover and secure floor openings and label floor opening covers.
- Use ladders and scaffolds safely.
Prevent Struck-by:
- Avoid positioning yourself between moving and fixed objects.
- Wear high-visibility clothes near equipment/vehicles.
- Separate foot and vehicular traffic.
- Use overhead protection to prevent being struck by falling objects.
- Stack materials properly.
- Use proper rigging techniques.
Prevent Caught In and Between:
- Make sure adequate trench protective systems are in place before you enter a trench or excavation.
- Make sure the trench or excavation is protected either by sloping, shoring, benching or trench shield systems.
- Isolate moving and rotating equipment parts.
- Do periodic equipment inspections.
Prevent Electrocutions:
- Locate and identify utilities before starting work.
- Use lockout/tagout equipment properly.
- Locate and maintain a safe distance from overhead power lines when operating any equipment. Learn the safe distance requirements.
- Use portable electric tools that are grounded or double insulated.
- Use ground-fault circuit interrupters for protection.
- Be alert to electrical hazards when working with ladders, scaffolds or other platforms.
It’s possible to avoid these top four construction hazards with a little planning, so you can go home safely.