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What are the most important safety rules in construction?

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

 

Construction is a dangerous profession and each day at least one (1) construction worker is injured on the job and many accidents have the potential to be life-threatening. This is why it is not only important for employers to mitigate safety hazards to their workers, but it is also important for workers to keep in mind certain precautions to protect themselves from hazards.

There are numerous guidelines and regulations that need to be followed on construction sites, with almost all of them pertaining to the safety of those on the job site. Some of the most important safety rules in construction include the following:

  • Fall Protection – Falls are a top injury on construction sites and all workers should familiarize themselves with potential fall hazards on the job site. Never work in areas without proper fall protection devices installed and all personal fall protection arrest systems should be inspected before each use to ensure that the length of the lanyard is short enough to prevent a worker from making contact with a lower level in the event of a fall. This includes taking into account the amount of stretch that will occur and the height of the worker.

  • Head Protection – Protective gear is important because head injuries can occur in a myriad of ways on the construction site, including falling objects, low-hanging hazards, exposed wiring, and tripping risks. To avoid these hazards, construction safety regulations require hard hats to be worn in areas where there is a high risk of head injury.

  • Trench Safety – Construction workers that work in trenches face the danger of burial and suffocation, which can occur due to a variety of reasons. Workers should never work in a trench that is unprotected and has no professionally designed protective system. Exits should also be clearly marked and stable and trench angles should not be too steep. Construction workers should also wear hard hats to protect against falling objects.

  • Forklift Protection – According to statistics, 95,000 workers are hurt during the operation of forklifts each year, with 100 of these accidents being fatal. Only certified professionals should operate forklifts, forklifts should be properly maintained and not modified without prior approval, seatbelts should always be worn, never speed or brake quickly, and movements should be minimized with heavy loads.

  • Crane Safety – Due to their size and power, cranes are a risk for serious and deadly injuries. The crane and surrounding area should be inspected, the swing radius should be barricaded, overhead lines should be avoided, and cranes should not be swung over workers.

  • Hazard Communication – Failure to recognize the hazards that chemicals can pose can be deadly. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) should be maintained in each facility and all employees should be instructed on the safe use of chemicals in the worksite. Chemicals should also be stored safely and securely, and a written spill control plan should be developed.

Construction sites are dangerous places. However, construction work can be made safer by following the precautions and rules set up by OSHA as well as following these important safety rules.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, an experienced personal injury lawyer can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.

We at Mike Agruss Law are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

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