Health and safety is a factor for any business, but some of the biggest risks lie in the construction industry.
There is the risk of injury through the use of complicated machinery. Those working at great heights are at risk of falling. And there are external issues, such as those associated with the weather, that can make life harder (and unsafer) for anybody working on a building site.
Of course, a good construction boss will understand these risks. He or she should have taken steps to follow safety procedures and any recognised rules and regulations. With their business reputation on the line, and with the risk of high fines if accidents take place without cautionary measures, they would be foolish not to do what is needed to adhere to health and safety.
For your information, be you in the construction industry or not, these are some of the health and safety risks prevalent in the business. Be especially mindful if you do work within this field.
Airborne dust and fibres
With a lot of work going on at once on a construction site, the risk of airborne dust and hazardous fibres are high. Often invisible, the effects are only noticed later, as damage done to a worker’s lungs can result in long-term conditions such as asthma and silicosis.
Tip: To prevent damage done to the lungs or eyes, protective equipment needs to be used. Dust masks and eye protection need to be worn by all workers in the vicinity of areas of high activity, and areas should be well-ventilated. Those in the business might also consider workbenches with a built-in fume and dust extraction system; AirBench being one innovative example.
Working at height
This is a requirement for many workers in construction, so those with vertigo need not apply! Still, scared of heights or not, the chances of an accident are high. Not only are workers at risk of falling, but for those working down below, there is also the risk of something falling on them, be that a loose piece of debris or a dropped tool.
Tip: As with any risk associated with construction, safety awareness training is important to promote good practice. Safety equipment should also be put in place, and this includes harnesses connected to scaffolding and rooftops, and hard hats worn by those working at height and from down below.
Noise issues
You don’t need to work in the construction industry to know that building sites are incredibly noisy. You need only walk past one to understand the problem. Mainly due to heavy machinery, as well as the noise attributed to drilling, etc., there is a risk of hearing loss when exposed to loud noises long-term. Not only this, but there are further dangers where communication is concerned, as voices are barely audible over the noise. A warning call could easily be missed.
Tip: Hearing protection is a given, and should be worn by all workers where noise levels are considered dangerous. However, other measures can be taken to control noise risks. This includes the use of quieter equipment when possible, and the use of screens and absorbent materials to reduce noise exposure to people within surrounding areas. Placing limits on the amount of time workers spend working in noisy areas should also be a requirement.
Finally
There are other health and safety risks, of course. These include those attributed to moving vehicles, and unsafe behavior from individual workers. In all instances, training needs to be given, and despite the expense, the right equipment needs to be purchased to ensure safety.
Let us know what you think, and if you work within the industry, let us know how you have mitigated the health and safety risks within your business.