CHRISTOPER C. ASUAR Construction Method & Project Management BSCE4-2 ENGR. ALBERT PLATA CONSTRUCTION ON MANPOWER SAFETY How to Keep Construction Workers Safe? Some of the most serious bad consequences that construction site managers or employers must avoid include injury, long-term damage, sicknesses, and mental health difficulties. Working in construction is an inherently dangerous occupation, with a high chance of on-site accidents as well as increasingly complicated health and safety risks and dangers off-site. This is why understanding the best methods for preventing construction site dangers will put you and your construction sites in the greatest position to continue to recruit the finest personnel. If this figure seems startling, remember that one in every five workplace deaths is tied to construction. Understanding the dangers, their effects, and the steps you can take to establish a safer working environment on construction sites makes sense for your own and your employees' health, as well as for your company's bottom line. Construction Workplace Dangers and Risks Employees face several hazards on the job site, the most serious of which is the chance of falling. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) statistics and the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries provided by the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the leading causes of workplace injuries in 2019 were included. Transportation accidents climbed the greatest in 2019 since this type of reporting began in 2011. • In 2019, the number of falls, slips, and trips climbed by 11%. • Exposure to hazardous chemicals or situations, which resulted in the death of 642 employees in 2019, the highest total since the census started. • The number of people killed in fires and explosions is dropping. • Unintentional overdoses from nonmedical drug or alcohol use are on the rise for the eighth year in a row. While the first four categories listed above are physical risks, construction firms should not overlook the fifth risk, which indicates an increase in mental health concerns in the workplace in a building setting. The most concerning element of this is, of course, that all but one type of fatal accident rose in the most recent reporting year. Despite what appears to be an increase in knowledge and regulation in all businesses when it comes to workers' health and well-being, the data show the reverse. In addition to the leading causes of deaths stated above, it is worth mentioning a few more potential hazards in construction that might cause harm or injury: • Inadequate communication/training. • Objects that are likely to strike victims, such as falling/flying objects, cars, or brick walls, account for 10.3% of all accidents. • Electrocution, most usually caused by contact with power lines or inappropriate equipment use, which may be connected to insufficient training. • Being stuck between items due to improper access/egress, unsafe spoil-pile placement, failure to examine trench and protective systems, or the absence of protective systems. Consequences of Construction Hazards Knowing the dangers and hazards that exist in a building environment does not convey the entire picture from a human or economic standpoint. In reality, there is a large toll to pay for firms that ignore the potential adverse impact of on- and off-site dangers, in addition to deaths or bodily or mental injury. Accidents in the construction business have a direct financial impact. In 2002, the overall cost of fatal and non-fatal injuries was projected to be $11.5 billion, accounting for 15% of total private industry expenditures. With an average cost of $27,000 per accident, this is unquestionably a huge consequence of building dangers that go undetected. It is also worth noting that the average cost of an injury across all industries is only $15,000, making the construction business a far more expensive sector when injuries occur. Furthermore, firms who are found to be in breach of OSHA guidelines may face hefty fines. Excluding de minimis infractions, in which businesses are only advised orally of where they fall short, penalties for other offenses begin at $13,494 and can increase to ten times that amount for repeated violations. Another unintended effect of hazardous or stressful working circumstances is that mental health issues such as stress, depression, or anxiety are on the rise in the construction sector. When combined with other types of illnesses that cause people to miss work, they have the potential to result in large losses for building projects. Finally, the effects of hazards and risks should not be assessed exclusively on the basis of financial loss to the employer or construction site manager. Aside from the obvious impact on physical health and well-being, the impact of an accident on employees may be huge, potentially leading to the loss of a whole family's livelihood. This is especially true in minority communities, where the wounded worker is frequently the primary earner. In addition to lost wages, medical expenditures in the United States can be prohibitively expensive, with significant consequences depending on the employee's medical coverage and the severity of the accident or sickness. How to Avoid Accidents and Keep Employees Safe OSHA controls the employer's duties for construction employees in the United States. Beyond the legal necessity, there is also a moral responsibility of care to employees, which includes their mental well-being, which may benefit both the firm and the workers. Obey all OSHA regulations. OSHA enforces laws on companies in order for them to ensure a safe workplace. This includes the following: o o o o o o o o o Make every effort to keep building sites as free of identified dangers as practicable. Adhere to all standards, rules, and regulations promulgated under the OSH Act. Inspect working conditions to verify they meet OSHA guidelines. Provide safe tools and equipment and keep them in the best possible condition. Ensure that correct warnings, such as color codes, posters, or labels, are in place to identify possible dangers to employees. Have in place clear operating procedures which are updated as required and communicated clearly to employees. Ensure that training is offered before any work is done on site, and that training is delivered in a language and terminology that employees understand, which is especially critical given the construction industry's large share of immigrant workers. If personnel work with dangerous materials, have a hazard communication protocol in place. Offer medical examinations and training. This is not an entire practical list; further material is available on the OSHA guideline page.. Protect Workers’ Mental Health Aside from the OSHA employer rules mentioned above, there is a rising emphasis on assuring health and well-being in the field of mental illness. Employers have a moral obligation to make their workplaces as stress-free as possible, free of all forms of discrimination and abuse. Maintain Clear and Transparent Communication In addition to clear and extensive training standards, construction workers should be open and honest regarding dangers and incident reporting. Any accidents or injuries should be handled honestly with staff to ensure that all parties learn from what occurred. These debates may also result in the exchange of knowledge, which may result in better procedures in the future. While the immediate repercussions of construction site accidents are not always obvious, there are several dangers and risks that will have a long-term impact. These include not just difficulties of mental health and well-being for construction employees, but also financial ramifications for both firm owners and workers, as well as moral commitments to these people. As a result, all construction site managers must closely comply to OSHA requirements, as well as adhere to clear and transparent training and communication procedures, as well as regard for workers' mental well-being.
