In honor of Construction Safety Week, we spoke with our safety expert and Operations Manager, Greg Kerr about what construction tradespeople should know and what they need to know about their safety on a construction job site and throughout their construction career.
Much of what you are going to read may sound a lot like don’t run with scissors; however, from a safety perspective I want to make sure you are creating an injury free environment.
1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is geared for individual safety while performing any type of potentially hazardous work. Resource Options, Inc. provides PPE for all working construction tradespeople. This PPE includes:
- Head and hearing protection
- Eye and face protection
- Respiratory protection
- Torso protection
- Hand protection
- Foot protection
PPE must be worn at all times to ensure working safely on a construction jobsite.
2. Your Friend the Hard Hat
Head protection is essential, particularly on construction projects, not only to protect the wearer against the hazard of falling material, but also to guard against accidental bumping.
Use of hard hats at work is encouraged at all times, throughout a construction career.
3. Slips and Falls
Keep the floor clear and clean. Remember to keep hoses, electrical cords out of walkways and clean up grease, water and other liquids, immediately. Install non-skid mats in walkways and handrails in stairways.
Climbing and reaching high places will increase your chance of falling. Use appropriate gear for tasks in these cases.
4. Preventing Cuts in the Workplace
Wear PPE, including eye protection, gloves and long sleeves. Use the proper tool for the job at hand and replace dull blades when necessary. A dull blade means a worker has to exert more force when cutting, increasing the risk of an injury.
5. Ladder Safety
Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured to prevent displacement. Avoid using a metal ladder near power lines or exposed energized electrical equipment.
Many of these injuries are the result of not paying attention, improper training, construction tradespeople rushing or taking shortcuts, failure to wear proper hand protection, missing or improperly adjusted guarding equipment. Accidents can be prevented if we discipline ourselves to think carefully about consequences before acting. When we THINK safety, we act safely.
The construction safety tips Greg shares above are crucial to everyone in their construction career. Construction safety week recognizes and shares the best practices, tools and resources to stay safe on a construction job site.
About ROI:
RESOURCE OPTIONS, INC. (ROI) is a full-service construction staffing, design staffing, environmental services staffing and emergency response firm. Founded in 1998, ROI provides customized staffing solutions to clients servicing the built and natural environment. Recognized on five different occasions by Inc. Magazine as one of “America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies”, ROI demonstrates a proven ability to deliver highly qualified candidates in a timely fashion.
Check out our available positions, design careers and apply today!
