Every year, thousands of people are injured in construction accidents. From head injuries to amputations, there is a large variety of ways that accidents can happen during the construction process.
Although you may not be able to prevent every accident from happening, following these nine tips will help you reduce the chance of being involved in an accident while working on your next project.
1. Wear Appropriate PPE
When hammering or using power saws, wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is extremely important. Use safety glasses and work gloves when needed.
Additionally, you should wear rubber gloves and ensure that other individuals nearby are wearing goggles when working with chemicals. To avoid inhaling dust particles, always wear a mask and ensure you have adequate ventilation.
2. Measure Twice and Cut Once
Before cutting any wood for your project, make sure to measure twice and cut once! This is extremely important if working with power saws.
If you must measure more than once, it is recommended that you use another piece of wood as a guide instead of having the same piece of wood on both sides of your scissor or saw. This will help prevent any blade deflection which could lead to injury.
3. Keep Your Workspace Organized
One major cause of construction accidents is tripping or slipping due to clutter in the workplace. Always make sure to clean up after yourself and keep materials organized, so they can be located easily.
Additionally, if materials are stored in a cabinet or closet, make sure to put those objects back where they were found after use.
In addition to keeping the worksite clutter-free, appropriate “fall protection” measures must be taken. Always wear a safety harness and ensure that your ladder or scaffolding is properly sized and suited for your specific needs. If you have any further questions regarding fall protection equipment, ask a professional.
4. Don’t Wear Loose Clothing Outside
Loose clothing can easily become caught on power saws or other construction equipment, leading to injuries such as amputation of limbs or other similarly serious injuries.
Don’t wear loose clothing outside of the home to reduce risk unless it’s a part of a costume.
5. Work with the Right Equipment for the Job
It is essential to know your equipment and have the correct tool for each job you work on. If a construction project involves using a drill, make sure you have an appropriate drill for the job.
This will help avoid any accidents that may occur from working with tools that are too heavy or difficult to use effectively. In addition, if you are bringing in heavy equipment, then you need to have tire covers to avoid damage to flooring and equipment.
6. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
If you are working on a construction project, it is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times. If in doubt, assume there is something that can cause harm within arm’s reach.
For example, if you are using a saw, make sure to watch out for people behind or near the saw who may get hurt if they move suddenly when the saw turns on. Additionally, follow proper lockout procedures when working around heavy equipment or machinery. This will ensure that no one else gets injured while you’re doing maintenance work on the equipment.
7. Make Sure You Are Safe From Electrocution
Electrocution is one of the leading causes of accidents in home construction and should be avoided at all costs. If you are working on wiring, then make sure to turn off your breaker and test your wires in a different circuit, so they aren’t live when being worked with.
In addition, always lift heavy objects with a crane or dolly instead of straining yourself by trying to pick up something too unwieldy for you to handle easily.
8. Keep Your Tools in Good Shape
Before using any tools, follow proper tool maintenance procedures such as cleaning the blade, sharpening it when needed, and ensuring that the tool is in good working condition before use.
Damaged tools can lead to accidents such as injury from falling equipment or blades that break during use which could cut nearby individuals who weren’t expecting it.
9. Make Sure That There Is Proper Lighting in the Workplace
If you are working with electricity, it is important to have proper lighting so that you can safely navigate your workspace. Never attempt to do electrical work by candlelight or other such light sources. This could lead to burns or electrical shock if there is a power surge while lights are off.
No matter what type of construction project you are working on, some steps can be taken to make your indoor worksite safer. Follow these nine simple tips and always remember the golden rule: Be safe!