| Any construction site poses potential hazards to | | | | When entering a confined space, the air supply |
| those working on it. Construction safety is one of | | | | might be weak and the space could be filled with |
| the most important considerations when planning | | | | poisonous or flammable gases. Workers should |
| a construction project. Some rules and regulations | | | | get a qualified person to test the air of such |
| are law, others are common sense, but all equally | | | | spaces with a detector. |
| as important due to the high risk of injury and | | | | Electrical grounding on a construction site should |
| death on construction sites. | | | | be checked every day. When electricity is not |
| In South Africa, the OHS Act & SANS 10085 | | | | grounded, it can be fatal. A construction site is an |
| is a strict set of safety regulations regarding | | | | unstable location and electrical flow may not be |
| scaffolding and other temporary structures. Any | | | | set up to normal safety standards, so it is vital |
| person working in construction should abide by | | | | that electricity supplies be checked to make sure |
| this act and should be properly trained in all areas | | | | that the supply is grounded. The atmosphere can |
| of construction work to ensure optimum safety. | | | | wreak havoc with the safety of a construction |
| First Aid and Emergencies | | | | site. If the weather is wet, workers should use |
| It is advisable to educate all workers on site | | | | ground fault circuit interrupters to prevent injury |
| about first aid and fire procedures. Basics such as | | | | by electrocution. Three-prong plugs are also safer |
| the location of emergency phones, first aid kits, | | | | to use than others. |
| stretchers, fire extinguisher locations and | | | | Ladders can be a great danger to construction |
| evacuation plans greatly reduce the risk of injury | | | | workers. There should be no litter or debris |
| and accidents. | | | | around the base of the ladder or on the ladder |
| Fire equipment should always be close at hand | | | | being used. A ladder should also always extend |
| and all staff should be aware of where the | | | | three feet above the landing it is resting on so |
| equipment is, how to use it and what procedure | | | | that workers can climb on and off easily and |
| to follow if there is a fire. | | | | without risk of overbalancing. When in use, a |
| Prevention is Better than Cure | | | | ladder must have safety feet attached to the |
| Precaution is a main ally of construction safety. | | | | legs. If a ladder is defective, it needs to be |
| Before anyone enters a construction site, there | | | | tagged and removed from the site. |
| are a number of precautions which should be | | | | Scaffolds should be built according to |
| observed. | | | | recommendations, with scaffold planks properly |
| Firstly, no one should enter the site without a | | | | secured to prevent workers overbalancing and |
| hard hat and knowledge of how to conduct | | | | dropping heavy loads or falling off the scaffolding. |
| themselves properly on site. Hats, gloves, eye | | | | Trenches need to be sloped if their size exceeds |
| protection glasses and proper footwear are vital! | | | | 5 feet to prevent collapse and workers should |
| Workers need to be healthy and fit to work on a | | | | never enter a trench without it being sloped. |
| construction site. If a worker suffers from dizzy | | | | Your Brain is Your Best Protection |
| spells, a fear of heights, is sick or anxious, they | | | | Aside from all of these precautions and safety |
| should not work at an elevated level to prevent | | | | instructions, common sense is a big factor when it |
| injury or death by falling. | | | | comes to safety on construction sites. |
| Proper knowledge of how to lift things can save a | | | | Workers who are under the influence of alcohol or |
| person from any possible back injuries. If lifting a | | | | drugs are a major hazard to the safety of |
| heavy weight, use your legs and not your arms | | | | themselves and others. Throwing things over the |
| and if the load is too heavy, get someone to help. | | | | sides of a building or level should be strictly |
| Safety on Site | | | | forbidden as it may connect with another person |
| There are further precautions which need to be | | | | on the site and injure them. |
| adhered to in the construction industry. | | | | Playing around and being foolish, running and not |
| Workers should never use power tools unless | | | | paying attention to where you are going will make |
| they are trained in how to use them. | | | | any construction site extremely dangerous. Open |
| Safety harnesses should be worn at all times | | | | fires are also a major risk of injury as flammable |
| when working at a height to prevent injury or | | | | gases and substances are common on a |
| death from falling. Any areas of danger should be | | | | construction site and can catch alight easily. |
| barricaded and workers or visitors to the site | | | | A construction contractor should ensure that all |
| should never enter a barricaded area. | | | | staff are aware of these safety procedures and |
| When on site, if having to work around machinery | | | | are willing to abide by them. Most contractors will |
| or dangerous areas, make sure that construction | | | | mention health and safety as part of their service |
| workers can see you and are aware of you, to | | | | and adhere stringently to safety standards. |
| avoid injury. | | | | |