May 9, 2022
Construction is among the inherently dangerous business domains, where accidents happen more frequently than you imagine. Every year, thousands of construction mishaps occur in Australia. Unfortunately, severe injuries and deaths are common in these accidents. Business owners and project managers realise the significance of safety because the implications of mishaps are daunting.
Accidents can disrupt projects, hurt employee morale, bring lawsuits, and harm the reputation of the business. At the same time, project owners and managers have an obligation to fulfill compliance regulations for site safety. Fall accidents are a grave concern because the risk runs high with people working at heights. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate fall risks, provided you are conscious enough. Here is a fall safety checklist every constriction business owner must follow.
The article underlines the inherent danger in the construction industry, especially regarding accidents involving falls. The author emphasises the importance of adhering to safety regulations and introduces a checklist to reduce fall risks:
The right approach to safety, including following the presented checklist, can prevent mishaps and save lives on construction sites.
The best way to protect your workers from fall risk is by providing railing at heights. Consider it a form of passive protection that keeps your people safe and ensures compliance. You do not require extra equipment or training to install railing and ensure workers use it to avert risks. The solution is simple and cost-effective, and you can use the railings project after project. You can find a railing system for every roof style, from non-penetrating roof railing to metal roof railing and parapet mounted railing. Explore your options and install the right one to ensure site safety.
Working at heights is not a breeze, and you cannot expect people to feel safe and confident without proper equipment. But you cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach with fall protection solutions You may opt for ladders, scaffolds, and aerial lifts depending on the size and scale of the project. A scaffold may work for washing low-level windows or painting a house. Ladders are better for interior jobs at low heights because the risk of injuries is minimal even if you fall. However, you cannot rely on either of these solutions for high-rise buildings. Lifts are a safer alternative, but ensure workers wear protective equipment like a harness and lanyard while using them.
Construction work is inherently risky, so you cannot prevent accident risks altogether. But implementing apt measures can help you minimise and manage them to a significant extent. Providing proper PPE to your workers gives you a good start. Further, you must have acceptable anchor points on the roof to connect tie-offs such as lifelines and lanyards. If you work on projects in Sydney, you can find experts for anchor point installation Sydney for this safety measure. You can even leave them as permanent harness points after the completion of the project. Many buildings require them to meet occupational health and safety obligations. Additionally, they are helpful for high-rise building maintenance and window cleaning.
Although site security is not directly related to fall risks, it goes a long way in ensuring overall safety. Viking Rental can assist you when it comes to construction sites and high-risk areas since maintaining restricted site access is essential. Restricted site access does more than protect expensive equipment from damage or theft. It prevents unauthorised people from reaching high-risk areas at heights and leaving potential construction hazards open for workers. You can lock up the access to danger zones and have security guards monitor the site in and outside of work hours. Strict security protocols protect your business from liability and negligence if a mishap occurs due to a lack of monitoring.
Fall accidents on construction sites do not always happen due to faulty designs or lack of safety installations. At times, human errors and lack of experience may lead to mishaps. You can minimise this risk by investing in safety training for your employees. Ensure every worker you bring on board has some experience with working on construction sites. Pick people with additional skills for working from high areas like roofs. Also, conduct regular training sessions to keep them vigilant and ready to deal with fall threats. Implementing a safe work method statement (SWMS) is a good option while working on a high-risk construction project.
Having a first aid provision on construction sites is essential for business owners. Fall accidents may happen at any point, no matter how careful, trained, and skilled your workers are. Likewise, the best safety measures cannot ensure a zero fall risk on your worksite. Make sure you have a disaster management plan to cope with accidents and provide help to injured workers without delay. The right approach to safety can prevent mishaps and save lives. Follow these fall safety measures to stay ahead on both fronts.
