One of the critical things to remember when restoring an old home is the prevention of constructiron accidents such as slips and falls. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, most workplace accidents occur in the construction industry, with falls causing a third of all injuries. This is important to remember because when renovations often make heavy use of scaffolding.
If you’ve hired a roof restoration service, then they’re probably using scaffolding to allow workers to reach the roof. Here are a few safety tips that will help make your home construction project safer and more productive.
Don’t rush the work
Many homeowners and contractors tend to rush construction projects to minimize budget overruns and meet deadlines. But too much focus on the speed of construction can lead to costly and deadly mistakes. Occupational safety often takes a backseat to economic concerns. But by following good construction practices and safety protocols, safety need not be compromised in the name of speed.
Safety should be the primary concern of every construction worksite. With that in mind, there are ways to keep everyone working efficiently without losing too many work hours. As long as everyone follows safety protocols and good working practices, construction can proceed without a hitch.
Experienced contractors should invest in tools and training that can increase efficiency so that occupational safety isn’t sacrificed just to meet clients’ demands. Some popular methods that help improve workplace safety and speed include organization fixes, communication techniques, and time management training.
Keep the workplace clean and organized
One of the best ways to keep the construction site safe is to keep it clean and organized. By removing obstructions and hazards around the workplace, the chances of workers getting injured can be reduced. This is important, especially when working with scaffolding.
For instance, keeping tools and machinery organized and secured to the railings can reduce the risk of them falling off the scaffolding. It also makes it safer and easier for everyone to walk around and near the work area.
Identify dangers in the worksite
Safety is an ongoing concern. The site manager should identify worksite hazards before the project begins and during the construction process. By identifying possible risks beforehand, the management can carry out simple measures and buy gear to improve occupational safety.
For instance, if your home is near live power lines, you can ask to position the staging far away to eliminate the risk of electrocution. The movement and placement of staging should also be planned.
Invest in safety training
All members of the construction crew must be adequately trained in the proper use of tools and machinery. They should also be made aware of occupational safety and health guidelines.
Monitor the construction site
Apart from risk mitigation, the owner and the contractor should both monitor the construction site while work is carried out. That way, they can check for new risks that might arise and make sure that safety standards are followed. Constant monitoring can help prevent accidents from happening.
At the beginning and end of each workday, an inspector or safety officer should review tools and machinery used, especially the platforms and scaffolding. They should be properly constructed and have all the mandatory safety devices such as railings and anything else prescribed by the state occupational health authority.