Construction hazards are some of the most prominent threats to a worker’s health and wellbeing, no matter where in the world they are working. Maintenance Building System reports that construction risks are typically electrical, falls, manual handling, and inhalation of chemicals, which makes this the most dangerous industry. Not tackling these risks makes a worker vulnerable to life-endangering injuries or chronic health issues. Alleviating these risks promotes a positive safety culture. Employers can safeguard their workers by identifying common job site hazards while also improving productivity through reduced workforce downtime. This blog post will focus on the most common construction hazards and the best ways to mitigate them.

Most Common Risks Associated With Construction

1. Falling

Fatal injuries as a result of falls remains a top concern among construction workers. Workers are prone to severe injuries whether they are on ladders, scaffolding, or roofs. Height safety working also includes edge protection, permanent works platforms, and scaffold safety. Construction companies need to apply guardrails or safety nets at fall risk spots determined through risk assessment. Visibility jackets and personal protective equipment (PPE) are also part of construction safety that can help reduce danger.

2. Slipping and Tripping 

Although slips, trips, and falls are very common in various situations, they can easily be avoided. They are caused by a multitude of factors including, but not limited to, weather, uneven surfaces, cluttered walkways, and more. Regular clean-ups, proper footwear, and routine checks improve construction site safety. Regular site inspections alongside the application of anti-slip coatings are improvements that should be made per the guidelines set by Health and Safety Executives (HSE). Ignoring these can lead to construction injuries such as fractures and sprains. 

3. Airborne and Material Exposure

A lack of proper respiratory protective equipment (RPE) during construction work leads to the inhalation of harmful fibers and materials such as silica, asbestos, and dust. This creates long-term health risks for workers. Asbestos exposure, in particular, can result in dangerous diseases, including mesothelioma. Having a checklist that focuses on construction safety is fundamental, but having a dust control system and conducting a noise risk assessment are also great ways of minimizing risks. 

4. Struck-By Incidents

Struck-by incidents involve a person getting hit with tools, machinery, or any other entities that are in constant motion. This is one of the top construction site hazards alongside being hit with swinging equipment or descending tools. Those are categorized as high-risk construction activities, and the same goes for being hit by moving machinery. The use of CAT and Genny scanning equipment, alongside reflective PPE for construction workers, aids in minimizing risk, but advanced planning is the key. Banksman and signalers guiding machinery, as well as site supervisor teams enforcing safe zones, will further add protection.

5. Excessive Noise

Construction equipment poses numerous health risks, one of which is the loud noise-induced hearing loss, commonly referred to as NIHL, a silent threat construction workers face. Ear defenders, noise scheduling, and noise risk evaluation measures help manage exposure to noise. Safeguarding hearing can be achieved by length limiting exposure and task rotation strategies.

6. Vibration-Related Injury

Power tools have a downside of putting the user at risk for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a form of vibration-related injury. Symptoms are a possibly debilitating combination of tingling, numbness, and pain in fingers. A more proactive approach relying on protective anti-vibration gloves and steady equipment maintenance can mitigate injury. Construing injury prevention plans should also factor in the monotonous but essential breaks and utilizing modern tools.

7. Scaffold-Related Injury

Mistakes made during scaffolding can result in severe falls or scaffold collapses. In scaffolding safety improvement and prevention of falls, checking for secure platforms at intervals constitute a major part. Unsupported excavations and bad weather pose risks to scaffold support while relying on plummet ground levels and horizontal fall angle restraints. These unchecked variables increase the scaffold accident rate from the proactive approach of relying on construction safety and trained workers.

8. Electrical Incidents

Construction dangers include unshielded wires and worn shackles, poor surrounding grounds, and overly mechanical equipment pose a unique threat. These expose one to lethal shock, burning, and in certain cases death. A construction site can lessen exposure by employing lock out systems dismantling access alongside insulation and basic training for workers done in unsafe zones. Construction danger limits direct access to highly active zones using prominent signages.

9. Burns

Burns result from exposure to hot tools, flammable objects, or chemicals. These incidents can be avoided through the use of construction PPE and following building site protocols. All workers need to have training in burn treatment and first aid kits should always be reachable. 

10. Material Handling  

Constructive manual dealing with heavy loads inefficient lifting stance and poor posture can worsen construct injuries. These can be alleviated through appropriate lifting policies and the use of material hoists. Educating workers about the risks of material handling can relieve back strain and other muscle injuries. Safety relive workshops and ongoing assistance should be made available by employers.  

Some other construction hazards 

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

Hammering away with tools such as jackhammers with no consideration can result to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. Injuries suffer to the hand arm and head are what this entails. Having supervision assigned to hands-on workers on the site will help lower these injuries. Laborers need to be clear on their that rotating sledge part gloves will aid in HAVS. Maintenance tools are also necessary for/when machinery needs to work free of damaging vibrations

Excavations

Workers can get trapped or suffocated in the event of a trench collapse. The use of shoring and erection of supports enables excavation safety. Unsupported excavation is a common cause of fatal accidents. A competent site foreman must carry out inspections periodically and during weather changes.

Asbestos

Asbestos remains a risk in construction. Flying from the fibres of old buildings, it can cause cancer. A worker must wear respiratory protection equipment and must not touch asbestos unless trained. Always verify the historical site information prior to any demolition or renovation works.

Electricity  

Malfunctioning or naked wires can result in electrical accidents. Adopting lockout-tagout techniques aids in the prevention these risks. Workers need to be familiar with the locations of bounding power sources. And construction hazards are mostly concealed, so being observant helps.  

Site Security

Theft, vandalism and even injury might all occur because of inadequate site security. Guard stations, locked fences and lights work well in preventing unrestricted access to a site. Building site regulation needs to be complied with in order to prevent core disruptions in a scheduled build site.

Creating Safety Measures In Construction

Taking actions towards prevention requires good planning, training and checks. Using safety checklists ensures there are no steps omitted. Reporting of issues gets resolved quickly when there are set rules to be followed. Safety drills and training helps instill constructive repetition towards construction safety. Workers providing suggestion greatly contributes to the safety of everyone at the site.

Site Safety And Workers Comp

Injuries not only consume resources, but time and health as well. Lost earnings and incurred medical bills are covered by workers compensation. However, claims are not always straightforward. Streamlined reporting and efficient risk assessment makes claims hassle-free. Observing HSE regulations also enables helpful frameworks required by employers for injured employees.

Certifications

Accurate OSHA 30 training and documents aid in accomplishing construction injury prevention. Understanding of the workers rights and wearing of proper protective gears is a vital safety measure that is termed as instructional. Safe usage of restraining devices as well as hazards of civil engineering will also be taught in safety courses.

Stay up to date and know what is going on

Construction is a fast-paced industry that is continuously adopting new equipment, legislation and dangers on a daily basis. Reports and events are helpful to attend. Constructions sites are provided with tips and rules from HSE and OSHA. Staying alert ensures that you prevent unattended deaths. Knowledge prevents accidents on you or your team.

Conclusion

Construction as a whole does hold true undiagnosed dangers, but they are not unbeatable. Each site can become safer and uh-mazing with care, knowledge, and teamwork. Avoiding or exposing to asbestos, tool handling, and observing site security construction protocols all add up. Each step counts. Be on the lookout, guarded and well trained.

FAQs

Which construction feature presents the greatest collapse hazard?

Unsupported excavation bears the greatest risk of collapse. Trenches inevitably fall in without shoring.

Which fire hazard is of particular concern with ordinary construction?

Flammable substance poor storage along with electricity constitutes the basic fire hazards of construction.

What are type four construction hazards?

Construction Set 4 types hazards include fatal injuries of construction type such as falls, electrocution, struck, and crush.

What are the OSHA four hazards?  

OSHA “Fatal Four” construction site hazards are falls, struck-by, caught-in/between, and electrocution.