Statistics show that over 90 per cent of accidents that happen in a construction workplace occur as a result of just four elements that can be reduced by a few Construction Safety Tips. Those elements are as follows. Being caught between objects, being struck by objects, electrocution and falls. Just imagine how much safer your workplace would be without the danger of these. Of course, we can’t eliminate these completely. We do work in a very dangerous industry, after all, but we can all work to minimize the risks inherent in our jobs. Let’s have a look at how we can simply, but effectively reduce the dangers in construction.

Firstly, being caught between objects is most likely to happen when working in confined spaces. Obviously, the most significant danger here is when we are unaware of our surroundings. This is often as a result of limited visibility, a sense we rely on greatly in our work. Having a qualified and experienced second when working in confined spaces is a must, and simply positioning a new recruit to ensure compliance with regulations is a sure fire way to danger. A good Construction Safety Tip is to make sure there is constant communication between the two (or more) working in confined spaces, even if there is no immediate danger. This ensures that both parties remain aware at all times.

Secondly, being struck by objects is something that often occurs in sites with high building. An excellent Construction Safety Tip is to ensure that you have the right netting in place. Often, safety harnesses are sued to ensure safety from falls. While that is essential, it doesn’t necessarily ensure the safety of those below. Tethering, where appropriate would be a good Construction Safety Tip, but very often this isn’t possible. Fall and safety netting is the best Construction Safety Tip I can offer you. If it is correctly placed and spaced, it will ensure the safety of those below.

Electrocution is a difficult one to apply Construction Safety Tips to. The nature of it means that very often it is invisible until the accident occurs. The best Construction Safety Tip we can apply here is to ensure that everyone on site has enough knowledge and awareness to identify a problem before it arises. This very often means that an additional course may be required to fulfill your construction safety requirements.

Lastly, falls. This is low hanging fruit, meaning it can be so easily dealt with, that it shouldn’t be an issue at all. As I said before in a previous Construction Safety Tip, we should investigate the right kind of safety netting to compensate for being struck by objects. This Construction Safety Tip applies to falls as well, and choosing the right safety tool is essential, whether it’s a screen, a net, or a harness.

Remember, Construction Safety Tips are there for you to ensure the safety of your entire workforce.

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Employees have basic duties to consider when looking at PPE Safety, or Personal Protective Equipment Safety. Here, I hope to cover a those points as comprehensively as possible as concisely as possible. One of the most obvious and important aspects of PPE Safety is defining it, so let’s get on and have a look at what Personal Protective Equipment is, exactly.

PPE is defined as any kind of equipment (this includes clothing which protects against the weather) which is used, or intended to be used by a person at work to lessen risks to his or hers health and safety. One important aspect of PPE Safety is that hearing protection and respiratory protective equipment may often not be covered in the same legislation, as they have different regulations covering them. Similarly, motorcycle helmets are not covered, as they are dealt with under road traffic regulations.

One of the most important aspects of PPE Safety is that both users and suppliers should assess its suitability for the job. This is one of the first stages of PPE Safety. If you are not sure that the equipment will reduce the risk of injury, then it is required that you make sure. This can be done a number of ways. Initially, a test may be made for the durability of gloves, or a tear test for chemical sheeting perhaps. You may be well aware of PPE Safety usability, and in which case, you are already ahead of the game. In a vast majority of cases, your safety equipment supplier will have the appropriate legislation to hand at point of sale, so it’s worth doing it then.

Maintenance and storage is another key aspect of PPE Safety. A piece of protective equipment can easily become useless if left unused and in an unfit storage facility. The key point to raise here is that each individual product will have its manufacturer’s storage instructions, and in many cases this will be pretty straightforward. It’s also worth noting that you should keep appropriate replacements handy.

There are a number of questions you should ask when assessing PPE Safety. Is it appropriate for the risks? Is an obvious one. Does it increase the overall risk? This is a key point, because even if it satisfies all other criteria, a small blemish may increase the risk of an unassociated hazard or injury. Can it be adjusted for the weather? We work in all conditions, and something that’s appropriate for a light shower may not work properly in a hail storm. Is it compatible with other kinds of PPE? This is especially important when dealing with respirator and eyewear issues.

So you see there are many more issues than simply providing the right gear, and doing a little training. PPE Safety is a serious aspect of any construction safety plan, and should be treated as such.

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Establishing The Best OSHA Fall Protection

It’s good to know that we, in Australia, have some of the best OSHA Fall Protection around. In fact, fairly recently the US government cited Australia and New Zealand in a final ruling which has resultantly increased the safety of construction workplaces. Fall protection is getting increasingly important, as we strive to build higher and [...]

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It’s undoubted that wherever you are in the world, Safety On Construction Sites is essential to any kind of construction work. Not only will you be liable for any number of legal issues, but more importantly, you put your workers at risk.
With this in mind, far and away the best way to improve safety on [...]

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Your Civil Construction Safety Requirements

Ensuring you meet Civil Construction Safety Requirements is an essential part of any building job, and requires a degree of training to ensure that you and those around you are suitably aware of the Health And Safety requirements in Australia.
Courses in Civil Construction Safety encompass a number of elements including the areas around direct Health [...]

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