5 Danger zones in your next building project

In recent years, the construction industry has made significant investments in health and safety for the benefit of construction workforce safety and compliance with the law. Before starting any construction activity, the most important thing to do is danger zone detection which must be marked clearly and made visible to everyone present in the area. Danger zones on construction job sites must be guarded, and administrative controls must be implemented to decrease the risks related with falls, being struck by hazards, being caught between hazards, hazardous materials, and electrical shocks in the workplace. Following are the top five danger zone on construction job sites that cause fatalities, and preventive measures to reduce them through the use of adequate training and equipment.

1. Falls

Many accidents are caused each year by height-related job fatalities and injuries. Make sure the scaffolds and ladders fulfil safety regulations and are correctly designed for the project’s requirements to guarantee that employees are protected. Regardless of the work height, employees should always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as tool lanyards, non-skid work boots, and hard hats. Ensure that personnel are adequately trained to operate their equipment and avoid careless behaviour in order to reduce the likelihood of accidents and keep them safe.

2. Struck by Moving Objects

The next main danger zone on construction job sites, and the top cause of fatality, is being struck by moving objects, which accounts for almost 10% of all deaths on the jobsite. Make sure your construction site safety rules include danger zone detection, clear vehicle paths, and employee training on how to avoid putting themselves between stationary and moving objects. Only qualified and trained workers must be allowed to handle equipment like cranes and forklift etc. to avoid any serious incidents at the job site.

3. Electrical Hazards

Electrical safety is extremely important for construction workforce safety. Before beginning any work, locate and identify all utilities. If employees are utilising equipment, make sure they know where the overhead electrical lines are and what the safe distance restrictions are. Another effective strategy for preventing accidents is to give employees adequate training and equip them with double-insulated or grounded portable tools, as well as the usage of ground fault circuit interrupters whenever possible.

4. Caught in Between (trenches)

Hundreds of people are killed and injured every year in trenching (caught in between) accidents. To avoid this, trenches of five feet or more must have adequate safety precautions and wall support. Before digging, construction workers should mark all utilities to ensure appropriate distance, have the site evaluated for safety by a qualified person, and be fully trained on how to protect oneself during a trenching mishap.

5. Hazardous Materials

Construction sites are frequently contaminated with hazardous materials, which can range from harmful airborne contaminants that can impair breathing to chemical spills that can emit noxious vapours or burn. Workers must be given a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each hazardous item on the construction site and, if necessary, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for their optimum safety.