Preventing minor Injuries at work
Workers across all industries are at risk of slips, trips and falls and It is important to remember that an individual does not have to fall from a great height for the accident to be serious.
In 2012 – 2013 the construction industry had the the 4th highest incidence rate of serious claims per 1000 employees. The main causes of injury were body stressing, falls, trips and slips and being hit by moving objects.
More recently, the Australian Bureau of statistics found for the 12 month period from July 2017 – June 2018 that the Construction industry had the highest work-related injury or illness (59 per 1000 employed persons). This was followed closely by Manufacturing (58 per 1000 employed persons) and Health care and social assistance (55 per 1000 employed persons) (Table 4).
When working on complex building sites, safety is of paramount importance. Construction sites are classed as hazardous places of work and as we have highlighted fall related injuries are common, but they are also preventable with the correct safety measures and practices in place. learn how to best keep yourself safe at work.
- Be aware of your surroundings, don’t become distracted when walking around site and identify work place hazards.
Take extra precaution with:
- Cords and cables
- Any spills on site that could result in flooring becoming wet or greasy
- Poor lighting, this could result in reduced visibility
- Uneven floor surfaces
-Ensure all access areas/loading zones/walkways/site amenities are clear of objects and rubble that could be a tripping hazard
-Ensure you are always wearing correct PPE on site everyday
-Ensure you are always wearing hearing protection and eye protection when cutting materials or using a grinder
-Inspect tools, equipment, machinery and vehicles before and after use. DRIVE SAFELY
-Familiarise yourself with site SWMS and ensure you follow these guidelines at all times
-Follow safe lifting practices and involve team members when lifting anything over 20kgs
-When erecting scaffolding, there should be no shortcuts. It should be built on stable ground with solid footing to eradicate the risk of it collapsing. Be sure to maintain and repair any damage or inconsistencies of the structure, as well as ensuring that all employees using the scaffolding to have an adequate level of scaffolding safety training.
Safety is not something to be taken lightly. Compromising on safety could put yourself at risk and those working around you.If you are interested in speaking further regarding any safety concerns or you would like to speak to a consultant about upcoming work opportunities please give us a call on 02 8086 34444