Reducing the Risks in Construction

There are many things that you can do to help prevent slip, trip and fall accidents on the construction site. Good common sense and being aware of your surroundings is a first step to a safer site. When considering storage areas, it is important to keep these as tidy as possible, and try to plan deliveries to
minimise the amount of materials on site, which in turn will make it easier to move around. As well as this, it is important to consider whether storing certain materials and chemicals near one other is a good idea, as should they leak, they may react with one another and cause an even bigger problem.

Footpaths and access roads should be kept as clean as possible, free from loose items and if icy, gritted to reduce the risk of slipping. If there are holes in pathways use signs and barriers to avoid someone falling over or into them. Good housekeeping on stairs and paths provides easy access and less chance of falling over. The steps leading into temporary cabins should be of solid construction and free from dirt, ice or other items. Where there are cables, make sure these are tied up and if they are trailing, ensure they are identified to show others where they are. They can even be covered with rubber wire sheaths to reduce the risk of tripping.

Having good general housekeeping will reduce accidents. Put items away after use, always keep your work area tidy and be aware of people around you. Where there are excavations, open manhole covers or trenches, make sure they have barriers around them to avoid people potentially falling in. Good site waste management will keep the area cleaner and free from rubbish, which in itself can cause a slip hazard. Ask yourself, whose job is it to clean up waste and how often? Are there bins, and where are they? Who empties the bins, so you can report it when they are full, and finally who removes waste from the
site.

Finally, ensure that everyone on site knows what to do to reduce the risks when they work.