Occupational Hazards and Safety in Construction

A construction worker wearing an orange safety shirt and helmet is positioned on the roof, securing plywood sheathing onto a wooden house frame.

Construction sites are bustling environments, filled with constant activity, loud noises and hazards around every turn. Whether a worker is operating heavy machinery or simply walking through a busy area, there is a constant risk of an accident occurring. This lingering danger makes it essential for management to be aware of workers' safety and use thoughtful planning and proactive safety measures to protect their health.

Aside from the obvious human toll, workplace hazards can also have significant financial implications. Injuries and accidents can delay projects, reduce profitability and negatively affect a company's reputation. Frequent insurance claims also cause substantial increases in insurance premiums. Prioritizing safety not only protects your team but also ensures the long-term success and sustainability of your construction business.

Electrical Hazards

Electrical accidents on construction sites commonly involve contact with exposed wires, energized machinery or overhead power lines. Workers without proper safety training are particularly vulnerable, especially electrical contractors and power line workers. To minimize electrical risks, ensure that your team wears appropriate insulating gear, including gloves, boots, long-sleeved clothing and face protection. Mark all hazardous electrical zones, and make sure that electrical equipment is fully shut down when not in use.

Heavy Machinery Accidents

Though necessary for many jobs, operating heavy machinery comes with significant risks, including getting clothing or jewelry caught in moving parts or accidents involving conveyor belts, pulleys or trench collapses. These incidents can lead to severe injuries or even death. You can reduce these risks by providing comprehensive equipment training to your workers, setting clear guidelines on proper attire and designating safe zones around active machinery.

Falling Objects

Workers on construction sites regularly face risks from falling objects such as tools, materials or equipment. These incidents frequently involve heavy equipment, cranes or improperly secured items, leading to serious injuries or fatalities.

To avoid these accidents, make sure that all materials are securely fastened and transported carefully, especially if they're being used above ground level. Restrict worker access under active overhead areas, and strictly enforce the use of protective gear, like helmets and safety goggles, to reduce the risk of injuries from falling objects.

Falls

Falls from heights are among the most common and severe hazards on construction sites, contributing significantly to annual workplace injuries and fatalities. However, many falls could be prevented with consistent use of basic safety precautions. Installing covers, guardrails and fall arrest systems around elevated surfaces, openings and skylights significantly reduces these risks. After these measures have been installed, conduct regular safety checks and make sure that workers have OSHA fall prevention training.

Injuries From Material Handling

Handling heavy materials manually can lead to muscle strains and long-term musculoskeletal injuries. Such injuries can result in downtime and reduced productivity, negatively impacting both workers and businesses. To prevent these injuries, place materials as close as possible to their intended use area, use mechanical aids like carts and dollies and regularly assess work processes to minimize strain and enhance efficiency.

Noise Exposure

Construction sites are notoriously loud, and continuous exposure to excessive noise can cause irreversible hearing loss. Hearing damage from prolonged noise exposure typically develops gradually, making it difficult for workers to notice until the damage becomes permanent.

Regularly monitor noise levels on construction sites, provide appropriate hearing protection to workers and implement measures to reduce noise, such as placing a sound-dampening enclosure around noisy equipment, if noise levels are consistently high. Taking these steps protects workers' long-term hearing health.

Airborne Contaminants

Workers on construction sites often face exposure to harmful airborne substances such as dust, fumes and gases. Crystalline silica, frequently found in concrete and masonry products, poses significant health risks and can cause serious respiratory conditions like silicosis. To keep workers' lungs healthy, make sure that they use effective respiratory protection, maintain adequate ventilation and regularly conduct air quality checks.

Heat-Related Illness

High-temperature conditions on construction sites can pose serious health risks, including heat stroke. Heat stroke is especially dangerous because its symptoms, such as confusion or impaired judgment, are often difficult to recognize.

Encourage your team to hydrate regularly when it's hot out, schedule frequent breaks in shaded or cooler areas and gradually acclimate new workers to hot environments using OSHA's "20% rule," which recommends that new workers who will be exposed to extreme heat start by working only 20 percent of a typical shift on their first day. The work duration is then gradually increased by no more than 20 percent each day to help workers safely acclimate to the heat. These precautions can greatly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.