Workplace accidents can happen anywhere. Nonetheless, some occupations are more dangerous than others. Construction is one of the most dangerous professions, with over 1,000 workers dying each year and many more suffering injuries.
Sometimes, accidents just happen. However, many accidents are preventable. Employers have a responsibility to their workers to provide the safest possible worksite. Here are some essential safety measures that should be present on all construction sites.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
All construction companies should provide workers with PPE. This includes items like hard hats, gloves, and high-visibility clothing. If the job requires climbing, harnesses and similar equipment should be provided. If the job requires digging, trench boxes might be required.
Brightly colored clothing with reflective strips can help prevent accidents such as being struck by vehicles. While PPE like helmets and gloves may not prevent accidents, they can lessen the seriousness of injuries. A hard hat can mean the difference between life and death should something strike the head of a worker.
Proper training
Many jobs on construction sites involve special skills such as operating large vehicles and heavy machinery. Before being allowed to use such machinery, workers should have thorough training. Many accidents on construction sites could have been prevented if proper training protocols had been put in place.
Thorough risk assessments
To increase the safety of construction sites, proactive measures are more useful than reactive measures. Anticipating accidents through a risk assessment should not be overlooked. Risk assessments can determine the most common types of construction accidents so that companies can implement measures to prevent them.
It may not always be possible for employees to know if their employers have taken all of the necessary safety measures. However, it’s important to know that workers who are injured on the job are entitled to seek workers’ compensation benefits for wage loss, medical benefits, scarring, and disfigurement. Their dependents have potential fatal claim benefits if they should die from a work accident. Having legal guidance can help ensure that you get the benefits to which you’re entitled – contact a certified specialist workers’ compensation attorney today.