If you are involved in the construction industry long enough, there is a good chance that you would have come across your share of accidents. However, just because they occur so frequently doesn’t mean that you should just accept them as part of the construction business. Failing to implement proper accident-prevention measures can cause significant damage to person and property, and even result in death.
The first step in preventing accidents is identifying the areas wherein most of the risk is present. Most construction related accidents in the United States occur in one of four specific areas of construction:
- Electrical systems
- Heights
- Heavy equipment
- Excavations
Electrical systems
Electricity is such an integral aspect of the construction industry that many are often guilty of taking it for granted. Ignoring the deadly potential of electricity can have disastrous consequences, as anyone who has ever been witness to a construction related incident involving contact with power lines or malfunctioning electric systems.
Heights
Construction often involves climbing heights, which is a potentially dangerous activity. In fact, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry in the United States, which is why much of the focus on accident prevention in most parts of the world involves safety measures for personnel working great heights.
Heavy equipment
People working closely with heavy equipment can be a recipe for disaster without planning and coordination and in the absence of a proper set of safety measures. Apart from coming in contact with trucks, cranes, and containers, construction personnel should also be on the lookout for unstable structures and falling tools and/or equipment, and even debris.
Excavations
Excavation can be dangerous not only because of cave-ins, but also because of other hazards inherent to enclosed spaces. This includes lack of oxygen, exposure to harmful fumes, and drowning.