Reduce the Risk
Working at Height
First, consider whether the work can be done from the ground. If so, take that option and reduce the risks. If not, clear method statements must be issued for everyone working at height. To work on a roof, you need a safe access plan to prevent falls from edges and openings.
When using ladders, make sure they are safely positioned on a flat and stable surface. Avoid stepping on to the top rungs as this can compromise stability and choose ladders with rubber feet and slip-resistant treads. All scaffolding must be inspected regularly and erected in line with official safety requirements.
Organising the Site
To organise your site most effectively, you must ensure that members of the public are protected at all times. Construction workers are responsible for blocking off hazardous openings and preventing all unauthorized persons, including children, from accessing sites.
If the required facilities are not available, you need to speak to your management. These include toilets, rest areas, changing rooms, and drinking water facilities.
Accidents
Every year thousands of construction workers are injured in slips, trips and falls around industrial sites, due to uneven surfaces, obstacles, trailing cables and wet or slippery surfaces. The likelihood of this happening can be greatly reduced by keeping your site clean and tidy.
Structural stability is also an important area that must be managed to prevent accidents, and official guidance on this can be found here. Stairwells, footpaths, and corridors are the key access routes that must be effectively managed, with cables taped down or coiled away and waste building materials removed from the site as quickly as possible.
A Pleasant Atmosphere
Having some music to work to can increase motivation and make the site environment more pleasant. If you’re considering buying a DAB radio for your construction site, choose one that is specifically designed for a hardy working environment and encased in long-lasting rubber, like those available from Elcocks.
