07 Jul

Construction Safety Tips for Builders

The construction industry is a dangerous one, with the chances of work-related illnesses or injuries being much higher than the norm. In fact, the construction industry is consistently listed as one of the top five most dangerous industries to work in, and it is not surprising given the nature of the work; construction involves heavy lifting, dealing with machinery, working at heights and working in dusty or unstable surroundings, to name but a few.

On average, 69,000 cases of self-reported work-related illnesses and 65,000 self-reported non-fatal workplace injuries are recorded every year. These illnesses and injuries lead to 1.7 million working days lost a year, which can be hugely detrimental to both the employers and the employees. Even more shockingly, there were 35 workers fatally injured in a workplace incident between 2014 and 2015. (Statistics are taken from the Health and Safety Executive website, further information on which can be found here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/construction/)

To increase your safety in the workplace, Hitchcock & King have put together some top construction safety tips for builders.

time-273857_960_720

Keep your training and qualifications up to date

Firstly, keeping up-to-date with all of the relevant training to use plants and HGVs will ensure that you are using the equipment correctly and in a safe manner. Not only will this reduce the risk of you hurting yourself, it will reduce the risk of you harming others in the vicinity. If you’re concerned that you’re not up-to-date with your training, inform your employer immediately. Not only is this not safe, in many cases it is illegal.

safety-helmet-295057_960_720

Always wear the proper safety gear

Safety gear, whether that’s in the form of hard hats, safety goggles, high visibility clothing or the seatbelt in your HGV, is there to protect you from harm, so make sure you are wearing the correct safety apparel whenever necessary. It may not be cool or fashionable, but it can protect your health!

accident-1238326_960_720

Prepare for first aid situations

It is likely that you’ll witness – or be involved in – a workplace accident at some point in your career, whether that’s a cut finger, dust in the eye or something much more serious, so it is vital that you know some basic first aid to assist in that situation. Some simple first aid can really make a difference to the suffering of an injured person, and can even be life saving. If first aid really isn’t for you, your site should have a qualified first aid person so ask your employer who it is so you know who to find in an emergency situation.

document-428338_960_720

Perform risk assessments

This is the big one: If you’re the Responsible Person, you should be carrying out risk assessments often to find and eliminate any potential health and safety risks. If you’re not the Responsible Person but are keen to help, you can report any unsafe scenarios to your Responsible Person and have them deal with the issue in the correct manner. Reducing the risk of accidents or injuries is crucial for maintaining safety on site.

 

Enroll on safety training courses

Knowledge is power; the more you know about health and safety on site, the more likely that you will keep yourself and others safe and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries occurring. Ask your employer if you can be enrolled on some safety training courses; not only will this help you feel more safe at work, your employer will benefit from your increased knowledge.

 

Take care of yourself

One final tip for keeping yourself safe on site is to take care of yourself. Eat properly and regularly, drink plenty of fluids and know your limits. If something is too heavy for you to lift ask for assistance, and if you need a break, take five minutes. Your health should be a priority!

Hitchcock & King are a leading supplier of building materials to London, operating from eight branches across the capital. We have over 40 years’ industry experience and a wide selection of builder’s supplies, so don’t hesitate to get in contact today, or simply pop into your nearest branch for more assistance.