Pennsylvania construction workers take on unique risks every day when they go to their jobs. Because of the nature of the job, working with heavy machinery and the constant work at height, accidents are way too likely to happen. According to the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there are almost 6.5 million people working on construction sites each day. In the construction industry, the rate of fatal injuries is higher than any other industry.
Some potential hazards in construction zones include scaffold or trench collapse, electric shock, repetitive motion injuries, fall from heights and failure to use the appropriate protective equipment. The most common reasons that accidents happen on construction sites are listed below from less common to more common:
- Excavation (protective system requirements)
- Head protection
- Ladders
- Excavations (general requirements)
- Fall protection (application, scope, definitions)
- Scaffolding
Safety measures and appropriate training are vital to protecting construction workers. Safety checklists should be performed daily. Employees should always wear personal protective equipment for hand, eye, face and head protection. When working on elevated surfaces, signs should be posted to show the load capacity of the elevated surface. If an elevated surface is more than four feet high, there should be standard guardrails for protection.
Each piece of machinery in the construction industry has its own set of guidelines and safety requirements. If you work with cranes, forklifts, tractors or other heavy equipment, you should always undergo safety training and become aware of the manufacturer safety recommendations before operating. Any work with harmful substances should be closely monitored and employees should be educated about the harmful effects before they begin the work.
This is intended for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
