Safeguarding Against Construction Worker Accidents
According to a 2016 report by the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA), one in five worker deaths is in construction. The leading causes being falls, struck by object fatalities, electrocutions, and getting caught in-between objects. These fatal four account for 63.7% of construction worker deaths. By eliminating the fatal four, it’s estimated that 631 lives would be saved every year.
It goes without saying, safeguarding against construction worker accidents are especially important for retaining a healthy, productive workforce for years to come.
Fall Prevention
Ledges, roof edges, misused or improver scaffolding, and ladders can all be potential fall hazards. To reduce the risk of falls, it’s important to install guardrails, safety nets, and wear a full-body harness that’s designed to catch you should the ground underneath you give way.
Struck-by-Object Prevention
Struck-by hazards are those accidents caused by falling tools or materials, like a brick falling on your head or getting hit by a truck on the job site. Train your employees to be aware of their surroundings and to use personal protective equipment (PPE).
Wearing high-visibility reflective clothing is also very important, as in making sure all appropriate warning signs are in place.
Electrical Safety
You don’t have to be an electrician to deal with this safety hazard. For example, an aluminum ladder can make contact with the power lines overhead, causing someone to get electrocuted.
A “lockout / tagout” system where all electrical devices are turned off, locked out, and tagged out will limit exposures and prevent a deadly accident from happening. When in doubt, use grounded prongs and never use anything that’s frayed or damaged.
Caught-In Prevention
Sticky situations, such as being pulled into machinery or being crushed by rolling or sliding objects, are classified as caught-in risks. Keep yourself safe by not entering an unprotected trench and be sure the moving parts of equipment are guarded. If you have long hair, be sure to tie it back and don’t wear any loose clothing that may get caught in machinery.
While prevention is important, nothing can replace a robust workers’ compensation policy by the friendly agents at H&K Insurance. Unless you’re rich, you can’t possibly pay for the lost time, work and money out of pocket. Depending on the severity of the injury, the medical expenses could be enough to put you out of business.
Safeguard your assets by calling John Quinn, our self-proclaimed construction guru, at 617-612-6533.
John began working at H&K Insurance in September 2017. With over 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry, John Quinn is armed with the knowledge and experience to fit your unique needs. He specializes in writing comprehensive insurance policies for general contractors, landscapers, and restaurant owners. Keeping your interests at the forefront of his mind, John works with insurance companies to create policies that fit the philosophy and scope of your business. Affordable and detailed are two traits that aptly describe the policies he writes. In his spare time, he enjoys taking trips to the Cape and volunteering at his local animal shelter.
