The construction industry is associated with the most dangerous

working environments. The employees are subjected to health

threats when performing hazardous tasks and risky maneuvers,
which not always end up well. An accident on a construction site
can result in a range of troubles: from a minor injury to a lifelong
physical impairment or, even, death.

The damage can be at a greater scale when the accident happens

in a public area, making victims among pedestrians and
motorists. This is why an encompassing protocol of safety
practices must always exist in the activity of everyone of the
construction companies in Denver and throughout the state and
followed strictly by the workers.

The greatest fatality risk is related to working at big heights. In

many cases employees work on roofs with little security, which can
end up with a fall. On the ground, workers are not in the safest
environment, either. They can be hit by falling objects, unless they
adhere to safety standards by wearing a hard hat. Another risk is
heavy equipment and tools. Working around heavy machines like:
cranes and excavators put in danger personnel’s life as well as
pedestrians’ security if the zone is not encircled with safety
barriers. A poor knowledge of how to handle correctly certain tools
can, also, cause injuries.

This is why safety is essential on construction sites, and having

each worker on the site properly trained and equipped with modern
safety equipment is of utmost importance.

What is OSHA?
More than 90 million American spend their days on the
job. As a nation, they are our most valuable resource. And
surprisingly until 1970, no uniform and comprehensive
requirements existed for workplace safety and their
protection against health hazards.
How did OSHA Form?
In 1970, Congress considered annual figures such as
these:

o Job related accidents accounted for more than 14,000

worker deaths.
o Nearly 2 1/2 million workers were disabled.

o Ten times as many person-days were lost from job-

related disabilities as from strikes.
o Estimated new cases of occupational diseases totaled
300,000
In terms of lost production and wages, medical, expenses
and disability compensation, the burden on the nation's
commerce was staggering. Human cost was beyond
calculations. Therefore, the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1979 (the Act) was passed by a bipartisan
Congress "...to assure so far as possible every working
man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working
conditions and to preserve our human resources."

What does OSHA Stand For?

Under the Act, the Occupational Safety and Health administration
(OSHA) was created within the Department of Labor.

Simply stated, OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration and is responsible for worker safety and health
protection.

Since its inception in 1970, OSHA has cut the work-fatality rate by
more than half, reduced the overall injury and illness rates in
industries where OSHA has concentrated its attention, virtually
eliminated brown lung disease in the textile industry and reduced
trenching and excavation fatalities by 35 percent.

OSHA is administered through the Department of Labor (DOL). The

DOL regulates and enforces more than 180 federal laws. These
mandates and the regulations that implement them cover many
workplace activities for about 10 million employers and 125 million
workers.
Who Does OSHA Cover?
OSHA determines which standards apply to your workplace and
requires you to follow these standards and requirements.

All employees and their employers under Federal Government

authority are covered by OSHA. Coverage is provided either directly
by federal OSHA or through state programs. OSHA does not cover
the self-employed or immediate members of farm families that do
not employ outside workers.

OSHA offers an extensive Web site at osha.gov that

includes sections devoted to training, state programs,
small businesses, construction, as well as interactive
eTools to help employers and employees.

OSHA also offers training programs for employers and

employees to get hazard recognition. Some states
currently mandate training.

A construction site is any piece of land where a building is being built or

repaired. Those who work on construction sites are often required to
use large tools and pieces of machinery, work at height, and in
environments where hazardous materials are present. Because of the
nature of such work, working on construction sites can be dangerous.

This article will outline common construction hazards. It will provide a

list of hazards on a construction site so that you are aware of the
potential dangers and how to prevent them.

List of Hazards on a Construction Site

In 2016/17, construction was found to be the main industry for fatal
injuries to workers. Construction hazards are heavily dependent on the
type of construction work that is being carried out. For example, working
on scaffolding presents entirely different hazards to working with
asbestos.

The top ten risks and hazards from working on construction sites are:
  Working at height.
 Moving objects.
 Slips, trips, and falls.
 Noise.
 Hand arm vibration syndrome.
 Material and manual handling.
 Collapsing trenches.
 Asbestos.
 Electricity.
 Airborne fibres and materials.

Working at Height
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that, in 2015/16, just over
a quarter of worker fatalities were from a fall from height. This put
working at height as the most common cause of fatal injuries to
workers.

Suitable training is required for all employees who work at height.

Employees should be trained in working on different pieces of
equipment and surfaces, such as how to work safely on scaffolding,
ladders, and roofs.

The law requires that all employers must assess the risks from working
at height. A plan should then be devised to ensure all work is carried out
safely. The employee must have received the correct training in working
at height, and must be aware of the safety procedures they should
follow when doing so.

Working at height must be properly planned and supervised, and certain

approaches and precautions should be adopted. These are:
  Avoid working at height where possible. For example, if
something can be assembled on ground level, do it there.
 Use equipment with an extra level of safety to reduce the risk of a
fatal fall. For example, a scaffold with a double guard-rail.
 Minimise the consequences of a fall, for example by providing a
safety net.

Moving Objects
A construction site is an ever-changing environment, and construction
hazards continue to increase as construction is underway. There are
many moving objects commonly encountered on construction sites.
These include overhead lifting equipment, supply vehicles, and diggers,
all of which move around a usually uneven terrain.

Reducing risks should always be a priority. Workers should always:

 Avoid working close to the moving object.

 Be vigilant of their surroundings, especially if the object does not
have lights or beepers.
 Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as a high
visibility jacket, to ensure they are seen.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls can happen in almost any environment. As
construction sites often have uneven terrain, buildings at various stages
of completion, and unused materials on site, it is unsurprising that slips,
trips, and falls are a common hazard.

HSE reports that several thousand construction workers are injured

every year following a slip or trip, and that most of these could be
avoided by effectively managing working areas and access routes, such
as stairwells and footpaths.

Those in control of construction sites must effectively manage the site

so that workers can move around it safely. Risks should always be
reported and sorted to reduce the chances of injury.

Some causes of slips and trips and how to prevent them include:

 Uneven surfaces – The risk of these can be reduced by

providing walkways that are clearly designated as walkways,
having good conditions underfoot, and being well lit.
  Obstacles – Instances of slipping and tripping over obstacles can
be dramatically reduced by everyone keeping their work and
storage areas tidy and designating specific areas for waste
collection.
 Trailing cables – Cordless tools should be used where possible.
If this is not possible, cables should be run at high levels.
 Wet or slippery surfaces – If a surface is slippery with mud it
should be treated with stone, and if it is slippery with ice it should
be treated with grit. Any areas that are slippery should be
signposted, and footwear with a good grip should be worn.

Noise
Construction is noisy and, as a result, noise is a common construction
hazard. Loud, repetitive, and excessive noise causes long term hearing
problems, such as deafness. Noise can also be a dangerous distraction
and may distract the worker from the task at hand, which can cause
accidents.

It is the employer’s responsibility to carry out a comprehensive noise

risk assessment, and provide appropriate PPE where necessary.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a painful and debilitating
disease of the blood vessels, nerves, and joints. It is usually caused by
the prolonged use of hand-held power tools, including vibratory power
tools and ground working equipment.

HAVS is preventable, however once the damage is done, it is

permanent. HSE reports that nearly 2 million people are at risk of
developing HAVS. Damage from the disease can include the inability to
do fine work, and cold temperatures can trigger painful attacks in the
fingers.

Construction workers should be given appropriate protection when

using vibrating tools, and equipment should be well maintained.

Material and Manual Handling

Materials and equipment are constantly being lifted and moved around
construction sites, whether this be manually or by equipment. Either
way, handling carries a degree of risk.

Where duties involve manual handling, adequate training must be

provided. If an employee is required to use lifting equipment, they must
be trained in how to use this and a test should be taken to check their
ability to use the equipment safely.

Collapsing Trenches
A common occurrence on construction sites is the collapsing of
trenches with workers inside. Further, a building that is being
demolished or under construction can suddenly and unexpectedly
collapse, which can seriously injure, or even kill, those inside.

Precautions for collapse need to be taken before work starts. If the

project requires a trench, site managers should:

 Consider the kind of support that is best suited for the trench.
 Ensure the trench is fully secure.
 Regularly inspect the trench both before and during the work shift.

Asbestos
Asbestos refers to a set of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals.
When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, these
fibres are released into the air. Inhaling these fibres can cause fatal and
serious diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural
thickening.
Asbestos kills around 5,000 workers per year, and an average of 20
tradespeople die every week as a result of past exposure. An estimated
500,000 public buildings in the UK are thought to contain asbestos.

If there is asbestos on the construction site, workers must be informed

where it is. They must be trained in what to do should they come across
suspicious materials that may contain asbestos.

Electricity
It is harmful to be exposed to electrical live parts. Harm can occur either
by touching live parts directly, or indirectly by a conducting object or
material.

HSE reports that 1,000 electrical accidents at work are reported every
year. Most of these accidents arise from contact with overhead or
underground power cables and electrical equipment/machinery. Electric
shocks are a common cause for falls from ladders, scaffolds, and other
work platforms. There is also a growing number of electrocutions
involving workers who are not qualified electricians, but who are
carrying out electrical work on construction sites.

The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment

Safety is a major issue for day laborers and skilled laborers. Each
year, accidents happen frequently in the construction industry and
often times it is due to the absence of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) or failure to wear the provided PPE. PPE is
equipment that will protect workers against health or safety risks
on the job. The purpose is to reduce employee exposure to
hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not
feasible or effective to reduce these risks to acceptable levels.
These hazard risks can be anything from wet floors to falling debris
and everything in between. PPE includes items such as protective
helmets, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear,
safety harnesses and, sometimes, respiratory protective
equipment.

Every industry has its unique processes that involve both, humans
and machines. All these processes pose some hazards which
require unique safety measures. However, there are some risk
factors that are common for all sectors. These risk factors can turn
out to be life threatening, if proper precautions are not taken.

Construction and mining sites are no exception to the risk of

hazards, be it huge or small. Though the industries have advanced
their processes and with high technology, there is always a risk to
human life at the sites. This makes it imperative for both,
employers and employees to follow a strict protocol for safety
precautions.

Here is a list of some of the basic personal protective equipment

(PPE) for construction workers:

Eye and Face Safety Equipment

The eyes and face are most sensitive parts of the body and hence
they need utmost precaution at construction sites. Majority of eye
injuries take place due to foreign particles, gasses or objects that
get into the eyes while welding, cutting, grinding, nailing, working
with concrete etc. Working at sites with extreme winds, sparks,
smoke, or dangerous chemicals also requires high precautions and
safety equipment.
The essential safety equipment may vary according to the kind of
work one is assigned to. For instance, stringent safety measures
need to be adhered to by people working in close vicinity of
welding machines or any acidic substance. There are many safety
gears available in market that are specifically designed to be used
for certain tasks. Based on safety requirements of various
industries, ProjectLink has listed out the top eyes and face
protection gear to choose from.

Head Protection

Construction worker or not, if you are even walking through a site

while the work is in progress – you have to wear a hard hat. This is
the most important and fundamental requirement for any
construction site. At construction sites, there is always a risk of
objects falling from heights, and causing serious injury to your
head. The hard hat is a vital gear that shields workers or visitors
from falling object and/or direct contact with any harmful material.
These hats are also useful for a protection from rain, direct sun
rays, and electric shock.

Predominantly these hard hats are made of high density

polyethylene (HDPE) or advanced engineering resins, like, Ultem.
They are capable of protecting person’s head from major injuries.
Many of these hats also designed with accessories like face shield,
hearing protection and ventilation to keep the wearer comfortable.
Other advanced accessories that can be attached to these hats
include, radio, walkie-talkies, mirrors, lights, cameras etc.

It is essential to keep these hard hats in good condition, and

immediately replace them in case of any damage.

Hand Safety Wears

 Almost all construction work requires active use of hands, and
hence proper precaution is needed to avoid common injuries like
cuts and puncture wound. It is surprising that lack of protection
against common injuries costs businesses millions of dollars every
year. Therefore, it is important to provide the workers with gloves
well suited for their tasks, both for their safety and for minimizing
medical expenses.

There are many types of gloves available in the market, such as

rubber gloves, welding gloves, insulated gloves et al. The material
and design of these gloves differ according to the respective job
requirements that they cater to.

Employers are required to make sure that workers wear

appropriate gloves while their hands are exposed to:

 Harmful substances
 Sharp objects that could cause cuts or lacerations
 Work that could lead to severe abrasions or punctures
 Heat or chemicals that could cause burns
 Weather extremes
Employers must be aware of the suitable gloves for different kind
of tasks, and provide the workers with proper safety gear and
equipment accordingly. For further guidance, here is a range of
Australia’s leading suppliers and brands of high quality safety
equipment that industrialists can choose from.

Protective Footwears
Unfortunate but true! Many of the death hazards at construction
sites take place because of tripping, slipping, and falling accidents.
These accidents usually occur due to unsafe ladders or scaffolds.
Unsafe footwears are also one of the major reasons behind such
events. Therefore, it is critical for construction workers to
wear shoes that have slip proof and puncture resistant soles.

It is not necessary that the unsafe footwear would always lead the
workers to a death risk. However, relatively smaller risks such as
those from falling of objects, chemical substances, and heavy
equipment are also a matter of consideration.

Signage and Barriers

Sometimes simple things like a right signages can prevent huge

troubles. Signage and barriers are one of the most important parts
of safety measures. They help people to be alert while crossing a
construction area.
 Everyone is aware of common signs and colors. These simple
signs provide a sense of perception and alert people. Safety signs
are also helpful for providing warning messages in emergency
situations. They are also a good help to tell workers (or visitors)
about dos and don’ts for a healthy and safe workplace.

Barriers, on the other hand, are used to separate different parts of

a construction site. They are also used for preventing access to
dangerous or hazardous areas. These safety essentials are used
to prevent:

 Access to hazardous zones

 Entrance of any vehicle that is prohibited in construction zone
 Crowd to break into a prohibited area
According to their different requirements, businesses can choose
from multiple applications and types of barriers that are available
these days.