They say prevention is better than cure, and when dealing with construction sites, it becomes imperative. Construction sites employ heavy machinery and complex equipment, which makes them among the most dangerous workplaces in the world.
When it comes to occupational hazards, the four major causes of death in the construction industry are:
Being struck by falling objects
Getting caught in between objects
Falling
Electrocution
But the good news is that there are ways to avoid these accidents and make your workplace far safer. Here's how:
Raise Awareness About Construction Equipment Safety
It doesn't matter if it's a new hire or a veteran; employee training—and retraining in the case of existing employees—is a vital part of every construction job.
Educate your employees about the construction equipment they're using. Not having an in-depth understanding of the manufacturer's best practices and safety requirements can lead to someone mishandling equipment. And it goes without saying that this could cause major injuries.
Communication is the Key to Safety
One of the major reasons why accidents happen on-site is that workers don't prioritize constant communication. Perhaps the crane operator didn't have adequate warning about an obstruction. Perhaps a worker in the field does not realize that he isn't supposed to walk underneath a particular work site area.
Tools such as two-way radios ensure productive communication on site. This ensures that you're actively preventing potential accidents and are also keeping up with all that's happening on--site.
Use an Anti-Two Block Warning System
Anti-two-block warning systems are essential safety tools on every construction site. Without an anti-two-block warning system, a crane operator could easily get into a two-block accident, like the one in Naples in 2011.
These accidents can be dangerous to personnel and equipment yet are one of the most easily preventable. You should have an anti two block device for every crane. They are inexpensive protection and a valuable aid to the crane operator.
If you're looking for an anti two-block warning system, Crane Warning Systems Atlanta has the Rayco Wylie wireless and wired models—the R147 and the R140–in stock. We also provide other crane instruments and crane monitoring systems. You can get in touch with us for more information.