How Construction is Building a Better Safety Percentage on the Job

Ask any construction worker and they'll tell you the same: jobsites are dangerous work environments.

Fortunately, construction companies and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are doing all they can to ensure worker safety at the jobsite.

When it comes to workplace well-being, here are just a few ways the construction industry is keeping employees safe while on the job.

Jobsite visibility

Accidents at construction sites are a serious matter.

In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that out of some 4,175 worker deaths in private industry for the calendar year 2012, nearly 20 percent were in construction.

The top causes of worker fatalities at construction sites included falls, being hit by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between. Those four means of death accounted for more than 54 percent of construction worker fatalities in 2012.

Because of this, it's crucial among things for construction workers to wear highly visible, reflective clothing while at the jobsite.

Brightly colored vests, shirts, and pants complete with reflective strips are the best way for workers to stand out among the mechanical equipment and jobsite obstacles common among construction sites.

With highly visible clothing, crane operators, cement truck drivers, and other workers will see each other coming a mile away.

Regular safety meetings

Construction companies that have their workers' well-being in mind should hold safety meeting on a regular basis. Safety meetings help keep everyone on the job up to date on new and changing hazards at the jobsite.

Safety meetings should be held a minimum of once a day before the workday begins as well as anytime a major change occurs to the layout of the construction site.

During safety meetings, jobsite contractors can also check that all workers are wearing the appropriate safety and protective gear.

Protective gear

Much like the reflective clothing mentioned above, protective gear also keeps workers safe if and when an accident occurs.

Aside from requiring all workers to have catastrophic health insurance, construction companies should ensure that all workers entering the jobsite are wearing protective gear.

Protective gear includes hard hats, long, durable pants, gloves, and steel toed boots.

In addition, there is other protective gear that is required for particular construction jobs like safety goggles, particle masks, and full-body harnesses for work that take place at certain heights.

Sun exposure and hydration

Sometimes accidents and injuries on the jobsite aren't a direct result of the construction work. Such is the case with injuries that occur from prolonged sun exposure and dehydration on the job.

Most large-scale construction jobs take place outdoors, so workers should wear breathable clothing that covers the majority of otherwise exposed skin.

Additionally, construction companies should provide water hydration stations throughout the jobsite so workers don't suffer the consequences of dehydration.

Injury prevention programs

A great way to inform construction workers about the potential dangers of the jobsite and prevent future injuries is by holding regular injury prevention programs. These programs help workers understand the severity and consequences of a workplace injury, both personally and financially for the company.

In addition, injury prevention programs also help the construction company predict and fix potential workplace hazards before they take place.

From jobsite management to hazard assessment to general education, injury prevention programs help makes the construction world a safer place.

From safety meetings to prevention programs, construction companies are doing all they can to improve safety standards on the jobsite.

About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including jobsite safety and workplace insurance.