With more roads under construction, more people at work are exposed to risk for worksite accidents. Every worker has the right to workplace safety, but all workers need to approach proactively. Failing to enforce safety standards is the leading cause of fatal accidents in a majority of worksites.
However, when everyone becomes responsible for taking basic precautions at the workplace, accidents would be a thing of the past. Here are a few tips to help you ensure your team stays safe at the road construction site.
Establish Barriers
A typical road construction area is a busy zone. However, you will likely expose your employees to higher risk unless you provide alternative roads for moving vehicles. Moreover, the construction site itself usually involves several activities happening simultaneously. In such a situation, the chances of accidents occurring are pretty high.
However, contracting hire steel barriers in Australia to work within a road construction site can help you minimize accidents. The company can help you delineate specific work zone areas where heavy equipment is used, vehicle parking, and safe areas where workers can move.
Hire Someone In Charge Of Safety
Safety is paramount in any working site. Your team needs professional safety personnel on the Jobsite to ensure adequate risk assessment. That can help you identify any existing and predictable hazards in the workplace. The hazardous working conditions are not safe for employees.
The safety officer has the mandate to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate any risk at the road construction site. Hazard assessments and regular inspections are necessary for the safety of the worksite.
Furthermore, the safety officer is also responsible for choosing the right PPE to be used by workers and approving the types of traffic control devices you will use in the road construction site. However, Workers should play their role in ensuring safety by reporting any unsafe hazards or equipment to the person responsible for immediate measures.
Establish Specific Site Safety Rules
All road construction projects should be treated separately since each work zone has its unique hazards. Therefore creating a safety program geared towards a specific site can help in preventing accidents. When establishing the site-specific safety program, be sure to include identifying all potential hazards and roadmaps to control them.
In addition, have schedules to inspect equipment and working material routinely. Planning for first aid and emergency medicine is also necessary should an accident occur. Lastly, ensuring employee training on safety can also work better for you.
Wear Safety Gears
Safety equipment is an essential tool in any work zone. Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a significant role when it comes to ensuring safety and protection. All PPE should meet or exceed certain developed standards. Make sure the works have their visible clothing on, especially if working at night.
Conclusion
Regardless of all the above tips, everyone has a role to play in ensuring individual safety. Understand what your job duties entail in the work zone and be mindful of the people around you. However, since work conditions can change at anytime, you can consider hire steel barriers in Australia that can offer barrier solutions to ensure workers’ safety at the worksite.
