The Risks in Projects and How Construction Safety Consultants Make Preventative Plans
Here’s a question for you: Is your construction site and practices risk-free? Maybe your team is wearing PPE, or there are barriers, fencing, and warning signs for security.
But is the site entirely safe according to the project’s needs and regulatory requirements?
To answer this question with a confident ‘YES,’ you need construction safety consultants. These experts evaluate all the aspects of the project to make a compliant and safe plan, free from all kinds of risks.
How Do Construction Safety Consultants Ensure Compliant Practices?
Here’s how these professionals help contractors and construction managers practice safe operations:
1. Falls from Heights
This type of accident is the leading cause of severe injuries and fatalities in construction. Workers can fall from ladders, scaffolding, or elevated platforms. The risks are heightened when proper safety protocols are not followed.
Preventative Measures
To keep your team safe and sound, safety consultants start by assessing the construction site to identify fall hazards. Guidelines regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including harnesses, safety nets, and guardrails, are given.
Scaffolding and ladders are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they meet safety standards. Additionally, safety consultants conduct training sessions to educate workers on fall prevention techniques, proper use of fall protection equipment, and emergency response procedures.
2. Electrocution
Sadly, 7.6% of fatal deaths, with an average of 143 workers killed each year, in construction sites occur due to electrocution. Such incidents are usually caused by contact with live electrical wires, faulty wiring, or malfunctioning electrical equipment.
Preventative Measures
Construction safety consultants check that all electrical systems and equipment are up to code. They guide you regarding safety measures such as proper grounding of electrical systems, installation of circuit breakers, and regular inspection of electrical equipment.
One program suggested is clear, consistent Lockout/Tagout (LOTO). LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) guarantees that equipment posing a risk of hazardous energy exposure can be safely deactivated and guarded against unintentional activation, particularly while undergoing maintenance or servicing.
3. Falling Objects
Gravity can exert a surprisingly powerful force. For example, calculations based on physics reveal that a ten-pound wrench falling from a height of 150 feet will impact with a force of approximately 2,500 pounds per square inch.
Preventative Measures
The same proactive approach that we use to keep people from falling should also be used to keep tools and equipment from falling because the goal is the same: avoid injuries and fatalities. For example, construction safety consultants suggest lanyards and wristbands, self-vulcanizing tape, D-rings, and tool cinch attachments can all be used to secure a tool. Moreover, tools weighing five pounds or more should be securely fastened to a structure or an approved anchor point, not a person.
4. Equipment Accidents
Construction equipment, including cranes, bulldozers, and excavators, poses a risk of accidents due to operator error or equipment malfunction. These accidents not only risk a worker’s life but also make a company liable to pay hefty compensations.
Preventative Measures
Safety consultants conduct thorough inspections and maintenance of all machinery to ensure it is in proper working condition. Operators are guided regarding safe equipment use, including handling procedures and emergency protocols. Construction safety consultants also implement strict equipment use protocols and conduct regular safety audits to spread awareness regarding risks associated with construction equipment.
5. Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials on construction sites can be a massive headache and cause concern for everyone for two reasons: poor health and dangerous accidents. Workers who inhale, touch, or swallow these materials may become ill.
Preventative Measures
Safety consultants identify and assess the presence of hazardous materials on the construction site. They develop and enforce guidelines for safely handling, storing, and disposing of these materials. Moreover, after careful analysis, they share a list of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators and gloves, according to the jobs. Comprehensive training is also shared for workers on the risks associated with hazardous materials and the proper procedures for handling them safely.
6. Structural Failures
Structural failures, such as collapses or instability, endanger workers and delay project completion. These failures often result from design flaws, poor construction practices, or the usage of poor-quality materials.
Preventative Measures
Construction safety consultants conduct detailed reviews of construction plans and structural designs to ensure they meet safety standards and codes. They oversee the construction process so that the work adheres to design specifications and quality control measures. Signs of structural weaknesses are detected by regular inspection and tests. If some flaw is caught, the consultants share an immediate corrective action plan to make the site safe.
7. Damage Prevention
Damage to property or equipment can lead to costly delays and repairs. Preventing such damage is crucial for maintaining project timelines and budgets.
Preventative Measures
Construction safety consultants evaluate the construction site for potential sources of damage, such as heavy equipment operation near delicate structures or materials. They develop strategies to prevent these risks, including safe equipment operation protocols, protective barriers, and careful planning of construction activities.
Wrap Up
The construction safety consultants are experts in pointing out the minor flaws that could put your workers’ safety and the company’s reputation at risk. You can continue the daily operations by diligently following the suggested preventative plan.
If you are looking for a reliable consultant that ensures your site and practices are risk-free, get in touch with TMB Enterprise. Our mission is to craft a construction safety plan that keeps you, your team, and even your client protected physically, mentally, and legally.