Common Construction Site Accidents: Causes and Prevention

Posted by Christiana Antiga on February 11th, 2021

Fires and Explosions

Construction sites are a host of electrical systems, chemicals, and flammable materials, which makes them more susceptible to fire hazards. While injuries acquired through such incidents are less common, they can be fatal.

Prevention

In order to avoid any fire-fueled incidents, make sure that any potential fire hazard is reported immediately to the site supervisor.

Falls

Falls are the most common type of construction site injury as over half of the injuries sustained on-site are due to falls. Working on a construction site unfortunately means that you are at the risk of falling or tripping as it’s not rare to find floor openings, structures with incomplete roofs, or a weak foundation. The fact that the workers are relying on ladders and scaffolding also adds to the risk factor.

Prevention

Installing proper fall protection should lessen the risk of falls on a construction site. Using fall protection gear and installing guardrails and toe rails could help mitigate the risk of a fall, and scaffoldings must be installed properly as well.

Construction Equipment Misuse

On the off chance that construction equipment is utilized in a manner for which it isn't planned, you can no longer depend on the manufacturer’s built-in safety measures. Abusing machinery will also result in it becoming damaged. Often, due to the machinery being so expensive, employers find cheaper alternatives. I’ve seen a lot of used equipment in Houston, TX is utilized, but ensuring that the equipment you’re buying isn’t faulty is very important. It’s already a risky job without further endangering the lives of workers by having them work with or around faulty equipment.

Prevention

Doing inventory before you start operating machinery is very important. Making sure that the equipment is in perfect condition before you start using it can only save lives. Employers shouldn’t risk workers' lives by compromising on equipment or protective gear. When you’re looking for construction equipment for sale, make sure the machinery is uncompromised and in perfect working condition.

Caught In Between

This involves a construction site worker getting caught in between equipment and some other object and getting crushed. These incidents, unfortunately, happen when equipment is left without supervision. Spotting a worker can be difficult from on top of the machine, and rollovers are also an unfortunate contributor to these incidents.

Prevention

Make sure that only authorized personnel are allowed to operate the equipment and that the workers on-site are aware of any potential crush points or any other danger. No machine should be left unattended, and proper procedures should be followed when operating machinery.

Accidents on construction sites can be prevented if employers prioritize worker safety, do not risk their lives by making them work in unsafe conditions, and take every possible precaution like providing training and protective gear.

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Christiana Antiga

About the Author

Christiana Antiga
Joined: February 11th, 2021
Articles Posted: 1