10 Important Construction Site Safety Rules

Construction sites are among the most dangerous places to work in. Each year, millions of people get injured while working on construction sites around the world. Many of them, fatally. Needless to say, protecting the health and safety of workers should be the number one priority of every construction organization worthy of the name.

Because helping you keep your workers safe is at the core of what we do at Edara Systems. We have put together a simple list of 10 cardinal construction site safety rules for your workers to live by, to keep themselves and others, safe:

1. Never begin work without a proper induction

Because no two construction sites are the same, neither are the hazards they present. The best way to stay safe, is to properly understand the parameters of the work you are required to perform. Inductions are your legal right, and every construction site you work on is obligated by law to provide you with one. Never start work without an induction. for safety of your data, you can read about iso 27001 certification cost too.

2. Always wear your PPE

When entering a site, always ensure you have the appropriate PPE for the job. PPE is of paramount importance, being the last line of defence between you any hazards you may encounter on site. Wear high-visibility clothing to ensure you remain visible at all times. Protect your feet and prevent slips and falls with safety boots, and most importantly, give your head proper protection by wearing your hard hat. These three pieces of PPE should constitute a bare minimum for any site, in addition to any task-specific PPE required.

3. Understand risks and safety procedures

Project-specific procedures and safety signs will be explained to you during induction. Your employer should make arrangements for a risk assessment to be conducted, to determine the control measures required by your activities. It is vital that you gain a clear understanding of all safety guidelines prior to commencing your work.

4. Use the right tool for the job

Tools come in many different shapes and sizes for a reason. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the construction industry. Using tools for the jobs they were designed for is the easiest way to get the job done quicker. But more importantly, it is the best way to keep yourself and others safe.

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5. Stay alert

Be mindful of your every move, especially while performing high-risk tasks and/or handling tools and equipment to keep yourself and others safe. Construction sites are full of accidents waiting to happen, and while there are organisational processes in place to keep everyone out of harm’s way, it is still every worker’s responsibility to be safety aware and extra vigilant at all times, while performing their duties.

6. Keep construction site tidy

A messy construction site is invariably an unsafe site. Supplies, equipment, and tools left lying around on-site often result in hazardous situations leading to major injuries or fatal accidents. Slips and trips can easily be avoided, and hazards eliminated if every worker keeps a tidy workspace.

7. Report issues and near-miss incidents

If you become aware of any issue or incident regardless of severity, report it immediately. In high-risk industries, every second counts and the sooner you report the problem to your supervisor, the higher the chance of avoiding an incident. Every construction organisation has a procedure in place for incident reporting. Understand yours and follow it.

8. If it’s not working, don’t try to fix it

In the event where a machine malfunctions, do not attempt to investigate the source of the malfunction. Report the issue immediately to your supervisor. Unless you are trained to repair that specific piece of equipment, do not try to open it, or attempt to fix it.

9. Ask when in doubt

If you are ever hesitant on what to do, are not feeling safe in a particular work setting, or see something that isn’t right, always stop what you are doing, and speak with someone who can provide clarity or assist. It costs nothing to take 2 minutes to verify something that could potentially cost lives if gone wrong. Plus, if you don’t act on the feeling that something isn’t right, it will stay with you and disrupt your focus. So, remember, prevention is always better than cure.

10. Never work under the influence

The consumption of alcohol and drugs or being under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs while at work on a construction site puts you and everyone around you in serious danger and is strictly prohibited. Most employers require employees who perform high-risk tasks to get tested for drugs and have a zero-tolerance policy. Working under the influence is not only irresponsible, it is also dangerous and could cost you your job. So, don’t do it.