Keeping yourself safe from 2 of the top construction accidents

Without a doubt, working in the construction injury puts you in harm’s way. Just about everywhere you turn, you face the risk of injury. Between you and your employer, you may be able to find a way to minimize the hazards you face.

You probably use the proper safety equipment, receive the proper training and receive the opportunity to tell your employer if you need additional safety measures in order to avoid injury. Even when everyone does everything right and in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you could still end up injured.

It’s no surprise that falls are a top contender for accidents

Does it surprise you that falls rank up at the top of the list for construction accidents? Probably not. Open surfaces, roofs, scaffolds and ladders are just some of the places from which you could fall. You can either fall from a height or slip or fall on the same level. In either case, you could suffer serious injuries. The following safety measures could help prevent falls on the job site:

• Keep work areas tidy and clean
• Keep work areas well lit
• Use the required fall protection equipment
• Follow ladder, scaffold and roof safety regulations
• Wear appropriate footwear with good traction

Your employer should provide you with all of the training you need regarding the rules and regulations that apply to a particular job and particular equipment. The injuries associated with falls may be particularly debilitating, especially when factoring in heights. The safer you remain, the less likely you are to fall.

It’s no surprise that caught-in-between accidents rank high on the list

You probably work with and around heavy machinery and equipment at some point while on the job. When you do, you risk suffering from caught-in-between accidents, in which a part or all of your body could end up crushed, squeezed, caught, pinched or compressed between two objects. Obviously, the injuries suffered would probably be severe, if not deadly. Therefore, you may want to follow the tips below in order to avoid such an eventuality:

• Stay outside the swing radius of rotating equipment
• Keep body parts and hands away from moving parts
• Don’t get between an immovable object and a piece of heavy equipment
• Stay out of an excavation where water is accumulating
• Don’t wear long-sleeve shirts, gloves or jewelry near moving parts

Another good piece of advice is to simply remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Look for hazards and take action to avoid them, if possible. There is no substitute for training, either. In addition, your employer needs to adhere to existing OSHA and South Carolina safety regulations for a particular job site.