Out of all the job sites, the construction site tends to be the one where most accidents occur. After all, there are many opportunities for accidents, injuries, and mistakes to be made. Every type of construction project comes with its own hazards and concrete construction hazards. As a contractor, it’s essential for you to be fully aware of any potential risks on the job and attempt to mitigate them accordingly. Take a look at just some of the hazards that come with building concrete.
Concrete Hazards You Should Know About
Falls from heights
Falls are one of the most common construction site accidents overall, and they post a risk in terms of concrete safety hazards as well. Falls from heights onto concrete can result in serious injury. Even a minor fall while holding a heavy item like concrete equipment or concrete mix can cause damage. It’s essential that workers act quickly to reduce risk when working with concrete. They should attend to debris, clear up clutter and spills right away, and observe any warning signs. In addition, abrasive floor mats and proper footwear are good methods to avoid tripping risks.
Poor ergonomics
People who work around concrete often see a high incident rate of sprains and musculoskeletal disorders. To an extent, this is to be expected, especially when compared to an office workplace. However, a lot of workers make these risks even more dangerous through poor practice and bad habits. Not lifting concrete or equipment properly, holding awkward positions, and performing repetitive motions can all cause workplace injuries.
To protect your team, it’s essential to supply them with the correct tools for the job, such as forklifts or hand trucks when items are deemed too heavy to be lifted. When items are able to be carried by workers, be sure that they know the best method to lift without hurting their back or knees. They should keep a straight spine when lifting, engage their legs, and avoid twisting while carrying a heavy load. Encourage workers to ask for help when needed.
Respiratory concerns
Dry concrete mixing generally results in a lot of dust. Over time, this can irritate the nose and lungs, causing trouble for the respiratory system. Those who are frequently exposed to this dust over prolonged periods of time can develop a variety of respiratory infections and illnesses. Sanding, cutting, grinding, and pouring concrete comes with their own issues for the respiratory system. At the bare minimum, you need to supply your entire crew with respirator masks.
Ear protection
Ear protection is something frequently overlooked on job sites – until it’s too late. Cutting, pouring, and the general work that comes with concrete is a noisy process, and your team members need to protect their hearing at all times. Because there isn’t a way to reduce the noise, you need to provide hearing protection and ensure workers are using ear protectors when possible.
The right insurance can help when the unexpected occurs. Ready to get started on the right insurance? For the easy and convenient construction insurance services that you need, contact the experts at Artisan Insurance Solutions. We are ready to get you the coverage that you need today.
Leave A Comment