A construction site is a hotbed of activities that can cause severe accidents. As per the study, the construction industry accounts for almost 7 million workers, generating more than $12.5 billion – it’s a lot of people in action and lots of money at stake! 

Construction sites are a high-risk field. Safety violations and injuries are common causes of concern for authorities and construction site owners. As a site manager, you need to be aware of potential incidents and ensure that your site is safe and has the proper equipment to deal with injuries. You should be mindful of different construction incident types, their risks,  and how to deal with them. 

This blog discusses four incident types on a construction site with some prevention tips to stay safe.

Four Incident Types That Occur At Construction Site 

The four types of lethal incidents at construction sites are called the “fatal four.” They account for 58% of all fatalities on construction sites. Falls, being caught between things, electrocution, and being struck by an object comprise the “fatal four.”

Here’re detailed descriptions of the fatal four: 

1. Falls

Construction sites can be pretty dangerous, especially for workers who are not following health and safety rules. For example, over one-third of all deaths on construction sites are attributed to falls from height. 

For example, without safety measures in place, employees who work on the top floors of a high-rise building may be at risk of falling and injuring themself.

A site manager needs to ensure workers have the appropriate equipment while working on the job. For example, include hard hats, non-skid boots, and provide workers with the correct uniform size that best fits their gender, height, and weight for safety.

Moreover, fall protection systems like guardrails, covers, and Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAs) must be in the place where employees work 6 ft, 10 ft, and 16-30 ft above ground, respectively.  

2. Electrical hazards

Electrical hazards prove to be one of the deadliest hazards at the construction site. Shock and blast-related deaths cause approximately 8% of all construction site fatalities in the US. And to avoid such hazards, a manager needs to ensure all workers are trained in dealing with electrical work.

On the other hand, workers can protect themselves from electrical accidents by understanding the dangers, such as power lines, paying attention to the utilities around them, and maintaining a safe distance at all times.

Workers can effectively prevent most accidents by being adequately trained to avoid electrical hazards, learning how to check for hazardous situations, and reporting them to management when found. So, make sure none of your staff miss those training classes. 

3. Injuries through hazardous objects and materials

Construction sites are filled with many dangerous chemicals and toxic materials; so, workers in the construction industry must receive training on safely engaging with them to avoid any severe injuries at the workplace.

Workers should also have access to guidelines that detail the contents of each of the hazardous materials used on-site and where they can expect potential hazards, including spills. Employers must also train employees to avoid getting stuck in physical obstacles like machineries or structures.

To prevent such incidents, workers should be provided with adequate protective equipment and trained on how to use them when required.

4. Getting struck by objects

In 2016, more than 100 workers died because of being hit by something. Often, workers are not prepared and get struck by objects on the construction site. A worker wearing safety gear can also be a part of this mishap and suffer severe injuries.

Loads coming loose, swinging, and rolling around of heavy stuff at a construction site are some of the most common sources of workplace accidents from being struck by objects. Flying debris and objects falling from a height can cause unfortunate injuries to workers on site. 

These incidents can be prevented by ensuring scaffoldings that run above ground are secured with guardrails and fences to prevent people or objects from falling over the edge. Additionally, installing safety nets is one way a site manager can reduce the number of accidents due to debris falling on workers.

Safety Measures You Can Add To Your Construction Site

1. Begin with some basic safety instructions

All workers who work at a construction site must be trained to do the job safely. Workers must receive site-specific training to learn about any hazards and manage incidents in case of an emergency.

2. Protective equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E) helps workers stay safe working in a high-risk environment. Things such as high visibility vests, safety goggles, and harnesses fall into the category of P.P.E. and must be supplied in adequate amounts. 

3. First aid

A first-aid kit should be accessible at all times to handle injuries at the workplace. It is your prime duty to tend any employee just injured ASAP as an employer! 

4. Emergency guidelines

All workers should know how to handle emergencies. Every construction site should have an emergency exit, and workers should know how to get out of the construction site in case of an emergency.

5. Proper chemical storage

Chemicals need to be appropriately stored to prevent incidents and explosions. You can have a high-quality, compliant outdoor storage solution such as explosive storage cabinets that help segregate chemicals. This will, in turn, reduce spillage and pollution on the site.

Employing these five safety measures will ensure any construction site is free from suffering any of the incident types.

Keep Your Construction Site Safe With Pulse

Don’t let incidents become injuries. Keeping track of construction sites and their ongoing work can be very tedious. You have to monitor the use of different equipment, ensure that safety and quality standards are met, and deal with incident types that can put your project at risk. 

Pulse makes it easier for you by helping you keep track of checklists for each site which can improve safety and health management. Using our state-of-art software platform, maintain construction site compliance and stay at the top of compliance management.

Schedule a demo today or connect with our team in case of any queries.