Posted on 14th December 2016 by Hintons
According to the HSE, around 2.2 million working days are lost each year in the construction sector due to work-related illnesses and injuries. In fact, around 3% of construction workers sustain an injury while at work, highlighting how important health and safety is within this industry, as all employees must have the correct knowledge and skillset to identify and prevent any accidents.
Here, we will discuss the most common workplace injuries in the construction sector, and how these can be dealt with and prevented in the most appropriate manner.
Common Workplace Injuries In The Construction Sector
According to the HSE, from 2013/14 to 2015/16 there was an estimated 66,000 self-reported non-fatal workplace injuries, with 43 workers being fatally injured in the construction sector in 2015/16.
Identifying the causes of both non-fatal and fatal injuries will ensure all construction workers can take the most suitable preventative action. Some of the most common causes of construction related injuries and accidents include:
– Slips, trips and falls
– Lifting and handling
– Falls from height
– Struck by falling objects
– Defective equipment
– Vehicle accidents
– Electrocution
– Caught between objects
Looking at official statistics, one of the primary causes of workplace accidents in the construction industry is due to workers falling over, either tripping over materials or falling from a height. In fact, according to the HSE, “Falls continue to be the biggest cause of fatal injury in Britain’s workplaces, with 34 of the 72 worker deaths in construction in 2007/08 resulting from a fall from height.”
In an attempt to tackle this problem, the HSE launched its Shattered Lives campaign in 2008 to raise awareness of the risks and help reduce slips, trips and falls in the workplace. Placing heavy emphasis on the construction industry, the HSE provided a hub which featured their learning packages to train and educate workers within the relevant sectors.
Preventing Injuries In The Construction Sector
In addition to making sure all those working on the construction site are fully trained, there are a number of ways accidents can be avoided in construction environments, including:
Utilising experts in particular fields
If the project requires specialist skills which you are not confident that your team can fulfil, you must outsource the work to experts with the required knowledge. For example, if you are working on a project which requires the delivery of aggregates or collection of waste, enlisting the help of grab hire/muck away specialists will ensure all work is carried out safely and efficiently in line with all relevant regulations.
Checking tools
To prevent any injuries caused by defective equipment, all tools must be properly maintained and the condition checked regularly to ensure they remain fully functional.
Wearing appropriate safety gear
It is imperative for all workers to wear the appropriate safety gear for the task they are carrying out, including:
– Eye protection
– Safety helmets
– Gloves
– Reflective vests
– Harnesses for those on scaffolding or rooftops
Taking frequent breaks
Regular breaks are key for all members of staff working on a construction site to avoid the risk of any accidents caused by tiredness or exhaustion.
If you require grab hire services, such as tipper hire and muck away, for either commercial or domestic projects, look no further than Hinton’s Waste. With a wealth of experience and a team of fully trained experts, we can cater for any of your grab hire and also skip hire needs, no matter the scale of the job. To find out more about our grab hire services in London, Croydon and the surrounding areas, simply get in touch with us – we are always happy to help.