Workplace accidents are messy and hard to navigate but one thing is certain – many work place accidents are entirely avoidable. There are a myriad of devices and protocols that can be put in place to make employees safer – from crosby forged shackles that prominently announce a work load limit to lifting slings that aid manual laborers in appropriately carrying heavy items. The Occupational Safety Act of 1970, popularly known as OSHA, put the wheels in motion for creating safer work environments. Below are some of the many actions that OSHA suggests to keep workers safe.
Gear up.
OSHA has outlined gear for particular kinds of work places to ensure safety. For example, hard hats and steel toe boots are required at construction sites. The severity of an injury is far lessened by these two easy measures. In fact, many injuries are avoided altogether.
Training is key.
An employer should be sure to educate their staff about safety precautions and materials. For example, guardrail systems keep employees from falling and ladders, scaffolds and fall arrest training, when used appropriately, really cut down on workplace risk. When a company is estimating the cost for a particular job, it is important for them to factor in the costs for all the necessary safety measures. A customer must understand that it is inappropriate for people to perform work in a site that isn’t safe.
Speak up.
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. If you feel uncomfortable operating rigging equipment or a crane service, you can speak up and ask for the construction safety training you need. There is no shame is further educating.
Once you’ve been in the construction game for a while, this will all seem self evident. But the crosby forged shackles, wire rose slights, and cranes can certainly be overwhelming at first. When it comes to hard labor jobs. slow, steady and safe wins the race so remember to take care of yourself and your co-workers.
