By Ron Dolive, Account Manager

Safety first. This must be your number one thought before and while working on the jobsite. From using your equipment and tools, to climbing ladders, to installing electrical wiring, to being exposed to unfavorable weather conditions, your construction job safety must be your priority. Every year, thousands of workers get hurt or fatally injured because they don’t take construction safety seriously. Take a look at some of the steps you can take in order to be safe and avoid unfortunate incidents when you build.

Personal Protective Equipment  
Although it maximizes construction safety, not everyone uses personal protective equipment (PPE) when they work on a project. Cutting wood without protective glasses, walking on the worksite without a safety helmet, holding dangerous materials without gloves, and not wearing the appropriate shoes to protect your feet, are just some of the instances that put your construction job safety in jeopardy. In order to be safe when you build, you need to make PPE part of your way of operating and stick to it every single time.

Fall Protection
It’s simple. If you are working at an elevated height you need to make sure you stay up there. Unfortunately, there are laborers that end up in the hospital because of their inability to protect themselves from falling. If you are working at a height above 6 feet, you must wear a safety harness and secure it to a safety point so that you stay safe in case something goes wrong. Similarly, inspect ladders and scaffolds before starting work and let your superintendents know of any concerns you might have. Keep in mind that your goal is to be safe when you build.

Right Tools
When convenience comes before construction safety then there is a problem. Every worker has their favorite tools that they prefer to use as often as possible because they are familiar with them. Before starting work, you need to make sure that you increase construction job safety by having the right tools for the project. Avoid using poorly designed tools because they can cause injuries and read the instructions before you use brand new tools. Operating hand and power tools according to the manufacturer’s specifications allows you to be safe when you build.

Equipment Inspection
A very important step to take towards your construction safety is to inspect your equipment before operating it. There are many cases of workers who got injured because they failed to spot faulty equipment before using it. Don’t let this happen to you. Always examine your tools or machinery to ensure they are in good shape. If, for instance, you want to use a saw, make sure that the blade is not chipped. If you use machinery, examine it completely to make sure that there isn’t any wear and tear beforehand. Equipment inspection means construction job safety and safe outcomes.

Backup Plan
Every superintendent and supervisor wants his employees to be safe while they work on the construction jobsite. Following OSHA regulations and holding safety meetings are great ways to stick to construction safety. Keep in mind that setbacks sometimes take place. It is very important to be ready to respond quickly to accidents and injuries. Be aware of important details, like who the point of contact is when an incident takes place, where the first aid kit is located and how to get to the nearest hospital if need be. Knowing items like these do make a difference when dealing with an onsite crisis.

Key Takeaways to Safety First:
1.  Use personal protective equipment at all times
2.  If you work at an elevated height, take the right safety measures
3.  Use the right tools for the project and avoid poorly designed tools
4.  Always inspect your equipment and machinery before operating it
5.  Be aware of the plan of action in case something goes wrong on the jobsite

About TradeSource
Founded in 1993, TradeSource is a construction labor solutions firm focused on delivering labor solutions to contractors throughout the United States. By supplying skilled tradespeople – where and when they’re needed – we help contractors grow their companies, without the associated costs and hassles of full-time hires. Likewise, we match qualified employees with rewarding and well-paying job opportunities in the construction industry. www.tradesource.com