What Are Examples of Job Site Hazards?
A construction job site can be a very dangerous place. There are many potential hazards that a construction worker might experience, from falling objects to slips and falls. Many job sites require the usage of electrical tools and heavy machinery, which can greatly increase the potential for on-the-job accidents, especially if the proper precautions are not being followed. Read on for some examples of common job site hazards.
What is Know More Hazard?
Know More Hazard is a software application that works on any device or laptop. It allows you yo complete your field level hazard assessment and vehicle inspections before you and your team start your day on the job site. The application is tailored to your specific company and job requirements and allows you to make sure your team is safe and all the hazards are recorded.
The application also makes this process quick and easy. It also means that everything is recorded in one place that multiple people can access and check back on if needed. Check out this video for a short demonstration.
Examples of Job Site Hazards
When it comes to job site hazards, there are several potential hazards that a worker might experience; this is why it is important to be aware of what is going on on your job site and always take the proper safety precautions– no cutting corners.
Falling
Falling is the number one job site hazard, and can be attributed to things such as unstable work surfaces or misuse of fall equipment. Human error is also a potential factor, as it is with most job site hazards. Most falls occur when using ladders, whether it be the wrong type of ladder for the task, the ladder is structurally damaged, or the worker is not properly trained in regards to ladder safety. Falls are the hazard that accounts for the greatest number of fatalities every year, too.
Airborne and Material Exposure
Many construction sites have hazards that may cause respiratory issues in workers, and this is because of airborne materials and debris that they may be breathing in. Sometimes this can be avoided by wearing the proper equipment, such as a respirator for welders. Workers may also interact with toxic materials like lead or asbestos, both of which can be inhaled through airborne particles or dust.
Slipping or Tripping
This hazard is not the same as falls, which we discussed above. A slip is defined as when a person loses their balance after a loss of friction between their foot and the work surface. A trip, on the other hand, is when the person’s leg or foot hits an object, which causes them to then lose their balance. Both of these hazards are common, as work sites can often become a maze of cords, materials, or equipment. Many workplace slips and trips also occur in stairways. Keeping your job site clean and organized can help to minimize such occurrences.
Struck-By Incidents
A struck-by incident refers to when a worker is hit, or struck by, something on the job site. This could be a vehicle, a falling object, or a flying object. Depending on some factors like the object and the force at which the worker was struck, they can sustain a variety of injuries. If a worker is working beneath cranes or scaffolding, for instance, they may be at risk for falling objects. Flying object risks typically occur when working with power tools. Proper safety gear and the right protocol and training can help to avoid such hazards.
Scaffold Related Injury
Scaffold-related injuries are another common hazard on construction sites. This is because scaffolding is used on such a huge number of construction jobs– it is a valuable tool, but can also present several safety concerns. Scaffolding-related injuries can include falls due to collapse or a lack of fall protection, as well as electrocution if the scaffolding is too close to power lines. To avoid such issues, it is important that scaffolding regulations are followed. Some of these rules include how the scaffolding is constructed and the types of safety features required.
Burns
Burns can also occur on a job site, and these may be minor or may be more severe and require hospitalization. This hazard usually occurs when welding, in the form of flash burns, or in the form of chemical burns when working with hazardous materials. Electrical incidents can cause burns as well. It is important to take safety precautions to minimize these happenings.
Safety and Hazard Reporting
It is important to report hazards and run safety audits at your site, especially because this can help to reduce the number of safety issues that you or your workers experience.
Know More Hazard
In the past, safety and hazard reporting was time-consuming and involved lots of paperwork, which could even get lost or misplaced. Now, there is the Know More Hazard app, which makes it easy to do your reporting by streamlining the process– you can record everything with just the push of a button! Plus, all of your information is easily accessible and in one spot, right on your phone, so it can be accessed while you are out on the job site itself. If you prefer not to use your phone to do your reporting, the app also works on other devices like your computer or tablet!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some examples of workplace hazards?
Workplace hazards could include collapses, such as scaffolding or ladder collapses, as well as excavation or trench collapses. Falls from great heights or electrical shocks could also occur in the workplace, especially if the proper equipment and precautions are not being used.
What are the hazards of a construction worker?
A construction worker may run into several different types of hazards, such as cave-ins and collapses in regards to trenches and structures– like scaffolding or ladders. They could also be struck by falling objects. There are some long-term health issues that could arise in construction workers, such as hearing loss from loud machinery, respiratory disease or issues from inhaling debris, or back injuries from repeated heavy lifting.
What are some of the hazards on a construction site?
OSHA cites that the falls account for the largest number of fatalities on construction sites every year. Other hazards that you may experience on a construction site are scaffolding-related injuries, injuries from falling objects, electrical accidents, and slipping and falling.
What are the 6 types of hazards in the workplace?
The six types of hazards in the workplace are categorized into the following groups– biological (such as viruses that can cause harm), chemical, physical, ergonomic, safety, and psychosocial.