With more construction and development on the rise across the country, it’s no surprise that the death rate has also increased. While the construction industry is committed to complying with OSHA standards, there are still hazards that occur during the work.

Physical hazards are somewhat obvious, such as falls, stepping on nails, being struck by objects, etc. However, there are other, less obvious hazards that workers and their supervisors must consider.

Depending on the location or time of year, weather can have a significant impact on workers; and, depending on the severity of the weather, it can result in injury or death. If the worker is in challenging conditions, such as excessive heat, is overexerting themselves, and is not staying properly hydrated, the consequences could be serious. Injuries and illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps can occur.

Construction vehicle accidents are all too common. Because of this, it is important to be extremely careful when operating vehicles or motor equipment on all work sites. To comply with regulations, a construction vehicle must have a service brake system, an emergency brake system, and a parking brake system. All vehicles must be equipped with an audible warning system to alert others in the area when a vehicle is backing up or stopping.

To increase safety and prevent accidental falls, vehicles must have windows and doors, electric windshield wipers, and a clear view of the worksite from the rear window. Most importantly, all employees must be properly trained and certified before using motor vehicles and their equipment. This will help keep them and others as safe as possible.

Everyone involved in construction must be educated in all relevant areas of their work. This is the first step in preventing injuries and fatalities. Site managers and their employees must be aware of the hazards they may face on a daily basis and know how to best respond when faced with a hazard.

In addition to education, site preparation helps prevent injuries and deaths on construction sites. This type of preparation includes removing debris, leveling the ground, filling all open holes, cutting tree roots, removing large rocks, and marking gas, water, and electrical lines. Another prevention method is providing scaffolding that is rigid and strong enough to support its own weight without shifting or moving.

Some ways to prevent injuries and improve safety include:

• Management security training
• Integrate safety as part of labor standards
• Create accountability for all departments
• Consider security during the project planning process (imagine the worst case scenario)
• Make sure all contractors are pre-qualified for safety.
• Ensure all workers are properly trained in the appropriate areas of the job.
• Have a fall protection system* (number one injury in construction)
• Prevent and address employee substance abuse. * It is crucial not to be under the influence while operating heavy machinery and equipment.
• Implement regular inspections