6 steps to prevent falls:
Preventing accidents on construction sites can be made easier by
identifying the common causes of falls. After all, these are not unavoidable
occurrences. Here are some methods for preventing falls on the job site.
1 Regular Risk Assessments
Daily walk-throughs are part of best practices in construction.
Potential workplace dangers can be assessed and addressed by safety
professionals or other personnel.
There should be an inspection checklist available that describes the
state of guardrails, scaffoldings and ladders, and personal fall arrest
systems, among other things. Employees should also be responsible for
inspecting their fall protection equipment every time they utilize it. These
frequent assessments can aid in the identification and mitigation of risks
before they cause incidents.
The
obligation for providing fall protection for your employees, particularly those
who operate in high-risk areas, is on your shoulders. Personal fall arrest
measures, such as good-quality harnesses with correctly placed anchors, are
required for roof workers. Harnesses should also be correctly fitted to the
weight and build of the workers who will be using them. All additional
equipment, including as ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear, should meet safety
standards. For stability, ladders and scaffolds should be placed on flat
ground. It is also critical to install barriers in risky areas to prevent
accidents. Floor openings where workers may fall should be marked with
appropriate markings, coverings, or other protective equipment.
Construction
workers require specialized skills. While construction managers have project
completion timelines, it is not a good idea to assign someone to undertake
another person’s job due to absences or a lack of workers. Those who are
assigned to work at heights must be capable of doing so.
Accidents
may occur if workers execute duties for which they lack knowledge or have
insufficient experience.
Workers
must be continually informed of construction site safety precautions. These are
some of the key aspects you should consider including in your construction
safety training programs:
·
The significance of fall prevention.
·
How to use and operate fall
protection and other safety equipment such as ladders and scaffolds.
·
How to spot faulty fall safety
equipment.
·
Installed ladder safety precautions
for personnel who use the ladder.
·
Techniques such as three-point
contact, which involves using three limbs to mount or disembark from a ladder
or platform.
·
The usage of a buddy system,
particularly among roof workers.
·
Selected individuals receive
first-aid training.
·
Putting in place an emergency
response mechanism.
Follow-up
training programs should examine workers’ requirements as well as job
performance. Workers should also recommend further training programs to fix
flaws that could put them or their co-workers in danger.
Cleaning
the job site should be part of the daily routine, including the removal of
debris and dangers that cause falls, slips, and trips. Remove any dirt heaps or
anything that are obstructing passages. Instead, store these goods in locations
with no hectic workflow, such as an open yard. Floors must be dry and nonslip.
Machinery should be serviced on a regular basis to guarantee optimal operation
and efficiency.
Determine
simple strategies to encourage personnel to follow safety rules. For example, a
no-injury month can be recognized and rewarded. Workers will be aware that the
company regards their safety in this manner.
Employee
safety in the construction business should be a primary focus, as employee
productivity can affect project completion. Companies’ goals should be to
achieve zero casualties on death & injuries in construction sites a goal
that can only be achieved if effective fall prevention measures are always in
place.