If you are a construction worker employed by a company, you should be protected by the safety standards that they put in place. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets regulations that employers must follow to prevent injury and death in the workplace.
The fatal injury rate in the construction industry is higher than in any other industry in the United States. Therefore, as a construction worker, you should take the time to understand the safety procedures that should be in place in your working environment.
Scaffolding safety
Scaffolding needs to be erected safely and used properly to ensure that injuries do not occur. This means that scaffolding should only be erected, moved or dismantled when a competent person is supervising the operation. Scaffolding should be inspected by a competent person before each shift.
Fall protection
Falls cause the greatest number of deaths in the construction industry. To combat this, employers should ensure that floor holes are always safely covered. In addition, body harnesses should be used by construction workers when they are working on elevated surfaces.
Ladder safety
Ladders can also cause falls that lead to serious injuries. A competent person should visually inspect a ladder before it is used for defects such as structural damage, grease, dirt or missing steps. Ladders should never be loaded beyond the recommended weight.
If you are a construction worker and you have been recently injured, it is important that you prioritize getting medical treatment. After this, you should take swift action to file for workers’ compensation, as this could provide you with vital financial support.
