Working on construction sites can be dangerous if the right precautions are not put into place. It is in both the employee’s’ and employer’s best interest to take every precaution in order to mitigate these risks present. Sherlock Recruitment have compiled a list of safety guidelines that we believe should assist in injury prevention should they be followed.

Provide Workers with Proper Training

All employers are responsible for ensuring that their workers are properly trained in operating heavy machinery safely and manual handling. All heavy machinery are potentially dangerous equipment and adequate training should be given to all workers on the construction site to ensure all safety precautions are taken and best practices are used when in operation.

Proper lifting techniques are also essential for protecting workers’ back and shoulders from injury on site. All workers should be given the opportunity by their employer to complete a manual handling course. If this is of interest to you, our sister-company Sherlock Safety conducts manual handling courses.

Personal Protective Equipment

When it comes to working on construction sites, prevention is essential for protection. Personal protective equipment for construction workers are made to protect them against potential dangers in the workplace. Laws and regulations in Ireland state that all workers and visitors need to wear adequate head protection such as a hard hat, when on construction sites. Regular inspections should be undertaken by the employer/construction manager to ensure that all workers are wearing the necessary protective equipment for the particular site they’re working on such as a hard hat, gloves, certified work boots, eye protection and high vis protection.

Construction Sites Housekeeping

In order to ensure maximum safety on site, all debris that is collected should be cleared up and disposed of correctly. Also, if there is any unused equipment around the site that could potentially be a hazard should be removed from site or stored correctly.

Risk Assessment on Construction Sites

Prior to construction commencement, a risk assessment of the site should be carried out to note any potential high risk areas for accidents. The initial assessment should be given to all workers on site so they can highlight hazard areas and take additional precautions to mitigate any risks. As construction is carried out and reaches various stages, there will be new risk areas. This is why it is important for the site to have an appointed safety officer to keep note of and update all workers on all hazards on site throughout the entire work process and try to maximise safety on the construction site.

Safety Plan

Construction managers and supervisors are responsible for having an adequate plan in place in the event of an accident on site. This includes ensuring that they have a first aid kit and trained first aid personnel on the construction site at all times as well as having an appropriate plan in place if a serious incident occurs that would involve the emergency department.

It doesn’t matter whether a project is big or small, the same precautions should be taken to any construction site. Both the employer and employee should take ensuring the safety of on site seriously.

Here at Sherlock Recruitment, we ensure that all of our job listings are from reputable employers.