If you work in the construction industry you know the importance of ensuring the safety of all persons on site at all times. Regardless of their position, all employees must be protected by their employers. There are additional risks to take into account for construction employees who engage in high-risk work activities.
Over three million people are employed in the construction industry. Considering the nature of the work, we can say it’s one of the most dangerous jobs due to the increased risk of falls, machinery malfunctions, electrocution, falling objects, and structural collapses.
Building site project managers are responsible for taking the proper safeguards and protecting the workplace from unneeded dangers. To promote safety on the construction site, Australian Training Institute has compiled a list of safety measures to save you and your workers from unnecessary accidents.
Enrol Your Employees in A White Card Course
Before starting work on-site, every employee must possess a valid white card to guarantee that they have received training to identify high-risk areas and offer emergency management guidelines.
Anyone who wants to work in construction must finish a white card training to receive the appropriate certification to perform the required work.
The white card course gives employees a thorough understanding of the occupational and safety risks they may encounter at work. More significantly, it gives them the knowledge and skills required to respond to various emergencies and deal with casualties at work.
The CPCWHS1001 specifies the outcomes required to undertake Work Health and Safety (WHS) induction training within the Queensland construction industry. It requires demonstrating personal awareness of WHS legislative requirements and the basic principles of risk management and prevention of injury and illness in the construction industry. This course is known as white card training, formerly Blue Card training.
Reduce and control risk
Even after enrolling your employees in a white card course, there are still many things to do to ensure safety on the construction site. It is hard to eliminate all the risks due to the nature of building operations. However, employees can avoid many standard safety issues by doing routine safety audits and having protocols to report, evaluate, and deal with potential risks.
Evaluating the site for hazards can help ensure the safety of the project’s people working.
Have a Strict Site Security and Safety Measures
Restricting some areas in the site should be implemented to secure equipment against robbery or damage and to ensure the overall safety of the construction site. Security is essential during and after work hours to protect pedestrians from potential construction risks, including keeping an eye on things or permitting visitors.
If a safety incident or security breach occurs, strict security and safety measures will also shield contractors from accountability and negligence.
Safe Work Method Evaluation
All high-risk construction projects require the preparation of a safe work method statement (SWMS) before work can begin. The project’s scope, potential safety concerns, and risk management strategy should all be covered in the safe work method evaluation. Construction activity cannot start legally until the requirements have been met.
Use Clear Signage Everywhere
The construction site should prominently display a 24-hour emergency contact number and a map or directions to the site office to ensure that everyone can immediately access any safety procedures. The site should use signage to identify site amenities (such as restrooms), entry and departure points, and first aid or emergency fire equipment.
Have Separate Points of Entry and Exit
To increase pedestrian safety at high traffic points, it is necessary to establish separate entry and exit points for heavy machinery and vehicles.
Check Environmental Conditions
Extreme weather patterns can pose significant safety risks. If there is a natural disaster, severe weather or other emergencies, your on-site emergency plan should clearly outline the needed actions to promote safety among your employees.
Check on Tools that Are Possible to Drop
As a project manager, you are in charge of keeping things safe on-site and reducing the chance of something falling. Once the job is finished and your workers have left, construction safety still does not end. To prevent safety risks in the future, all parties involved in the construction process should use the right equipment and quality materials.
Have First Aid Preparation
The ideal ratio for the construction sector is one first aid officer for every 25 workers. Having a first aid officer on the site will ease your mind and prevent fatality during unwanted accidents. It would be best to place first aid supplies and equipment in an easily accessible position on site.
Enrol in Our White Card Course
After reading the construction site safety measures above, you must know how to start promoting security and safety. If you are looking for an institute that offers white card courses, the Australian Training Institute is the perfect place.
We offer white card training that teaches participants the skills needed to work on a construction site.
Attend our courses and experience excellent training in an efficient, effective, and enjoyable environment. You can easily enrol online!
If you wish to know more about our courses, do not hesitate to call us! You can reach us at 07 3269 5005, and one of our staff will be more than happy to answer your enquiries.
