Construction is a hard-core land-based activity that can entail a variety of dangers and hazards. It can result in a severe injury or an accidental death of anyone on or near the construction site. This is where safety plays a critical part in preventing such events. The safety equipment used in construction will be discussed in this article.
Construction site safety training is a disciplinary practice that must be followed according to the standard rules issued by an OSHA licensed safety engineer/manager on the job site, which can include:
- Educating workers on the need to wear “personal protective equipment” through regular training
- Pre-assessment of the site’s hazardous danger
- Showing numerous safety-related signs at the construction site
- Methods for securing materials on the job site
These hazards are also present in otherwise safe hydro excavation, and this article highlights the importance of implementing a construction safety plan.
Safety Equipment In Construction
Whether providing hydrovac services or implementing a demolition plan, construction safety is necessary. It ensures that everyone on the construction site is safe and reduces the possibility of nasty accidents. Following are the safety equipment that can prevent construction-related injuries:
Helmet
Let’s start with the most critical portion of the human body: the head, where head injuries caused by falling objects are the most typical occurrence on construction sites. Hard hats or helmets protect the head from intense sunshine, rain, and dust while preventing deadly head injuries. Safety high-density polyethylene or polyetherimide are used to make hard hats.
Helmets should be correctly fitted to the face by adjusting the helmet’s strap. Helmets must be worn following the standard colour code.
Before using any product, make sure it meets recognized national standards. For Example, ISI (in India), BSI (in the United Kingdom), and ANSI (in the United States) (In USA)
Safety goggles
The eyes are a person’s most crucial organ. It is critical to protect them by wearing safety goggles on a construction site, especially when doing operations like hammering, nailing, cutting, and grinding. They may also be worn to protect your eyes from dust in general.
User Instructions
- It’s essential to make sure that the glasses you’re wearing allow you to see well.
- You should clean it well before and after using a clean cotton towel. It is especially important when you are operating a hydrovac truck.
Face mask
Because the construction site is full of dirt, dust, and pollutant gases released by cars and other machinery, every worker should wear a safety mask to avoid inhaling dangerous gases and dust. Every worker, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, should be aware of wearing masks.
Masks must be correctly worn by covering the mouth and nose.
Earplugs
Construction workers are frequently exposed to higher noise frequencies and have experienced severe hearing loss. Noise cancellation ear muffs or earbuds should be worn, especially during dismantling or breaking activities.
Warning: Earbuds should only be used when doing a specific activity, and it is not recommended to wear them when site hopping.
Shoulder pads
Construction workers wear shoulder pads on the job to protect their shoulders from cuts and accidents when carrying items such as prominent timber members, reinforcing steels, tiny steel beams, and so on.
Gloves
Hand gloves are required safety equipment for site workers undertaking any construction operations, including carpentry, bar bending, masonry, concreting, and hydro excavation. They are an essential PPE to protect the hand from cuts.
User Instructions
It’s important to remember that each task requires a special hand glove. Masonry hand gloves may still not meet the needs of a bar-bender or a steel fabricator.
Reflective vest
Construction work entails much personal equipment, particularly in significant projects, beginning with laborers, engineers, machine operators, etc. As a result, everyone should wear conspicuous clothing or some upper body clothing, such as reflective jackets, while hopping around or working at a construction site, especially during the night shift or highway construction. It will aid in the detection of employees from afar and at heights.
User Instructions
Green reflective jackets are worn by engineers and managers, whereas laborers use orange jackets.
Safety shoes
According to statistics, most accidents occur due to sliding or tripping over sharp things such as nails, shattered glasses, or steel. Thus protecting our feet with safety shoes should be our first concern. These shoes also protect us from falling objects.
- Tie your shoelaces if you want to wear your shoes properly.
- Wear shoes with a steel toe guard at all times.
Safety belt
Workers should use a safety harness or belt to avoid falling when working on platforms higher than 6 feet (1.8 meters).
User Instructions:
- The belt should be correctly anchored with the fall arrester To protect the body in the event of a fall.
- Before using, make sure the product meets national standards. ISI is an acronym for (India standards Institution) BSI (British Standards Institution), and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) are two of the most well-known standards organizations.
Face shield
Face Shield is a glass shield that protects the face from harm. During this covid pandemic, it is critical to use appropriate protective clothing. Although there are many different types of face shields, a specific variety constructed of steel with a tinted glass screen is required for welding work.
User Instructions
While utilizing a face shield, the ISI requirements must be reviewed, especially when welding and performing hydovac services.
Conclusion
The equipment, as mentioned earlier, is by no means comprehensive in terms of the many types of safety measures that can be applied. Every construction and hydro excavation site must be assessed separately to determine what kind of safety equipment is required. Finally, on a construction site, safety should be treated extremely carefully. Before any construction activity begins, a trained safety officer/engineer should do a thorough risk assessment and safety analysis. Because each construction project is diverse and unique, the list can change depending on the requirements.
