The construction industry accounts for over 300 million jobs worldwide, contributing to close to 10% of jobs worldwide. Unfortunately, it also accounts for more than its fair share of accidents too. Indeed, close to a fifth of deaths and injuries at work happen in the construction industry, with a third of these involving a vehicle. In this post, we share 4 simple ways you can avoid accidents at work when using a construction vehicle.
How to avoid common accidents when working in construction vehicles?
In order to prevent accidents, it’s important to know their common causes. You should also be aware of how to identify potential dangers, ensure staff are appropriately qualified and trained and foster a culture of site safety.
1. Be aware of common causes
In order to aid THE prevention of accidents, it’s important to be aware of common accidents that happen at work. When it comes to construction vehicles, speeding is usually a key culprit. Indeed, it has been found to be involved in more than 20% of accidents on construction sites in the USA. However, choosing vehicles that are easier to operate, such as mini excavators can help to prevent some of the most common causes of construction vehicle accidents.
Some of the most common issues when it comes to construction vehicle accidents include:
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Accidents when reversing
- Overturning vehicles
- Materials or workers falling from a vehicle
2. Identify potential risks
As well as understanding what often can go wrong, you should also consider the specifics of your workplace. This means ensuring a thorough risk assessment of potential risks your staff could face beyond common causes of accidents. You should also consider where it is safe to use vehicles and clearly indicate this to help prevent injury.
Staff also need to be made aware of these potential risks and how best to avoid them. Creating clear zones where vehicles can or cannot enter can be an excellent way to help ensure jobsite protection.
3. Training & Qualifications
When it comes to accidents, prevention is always better than the cure. That means you should ensure that your workforce is properly trained and qualified for their areas of work. Staff members should also receive site-specific health and safety training. An appropriate number of first aid trained staff is also a must on any construction site.
When it comes to vehicle operators, appropriate training is even more important. Indeed, where possible, refresher courses should be offered and may even be mandatory for certain vehicles.
6. Look after each other
It is important to develop a culture where people know the risks and work hard to look after each other. Making sure everyone on site is aware of proper safety procedures and health & safety. However, extra precautions also need to be taken when there are outside visitors to the site.
Whilst any visitor will need to wear proper safety equipment, they are unlikely to be as up to speed on-site safety protocols. As such, drivers of heavy vehicles in particular need to take precautions to ensure the safety of site visitors who could blend in. Visitors should also be accompanied at all times to help prevent the risk of accidents or injury.
Conclusion
Construction sites can be a dangerous place to work, especially when vehicles are involved. Fortunately, with a few simple steps, the common causes and potential risks can be mitigated. Vehicle accidents can also best be avoided by fostering a site culture that puts Jobsite protection and the safety of others at its heart.
