Construction sites pose various safety hazards for on-site workers; some of which have proven to be fatal in the past few years. The Report on Work Fatality and Injury Rates, published in 2018, found that British Columbia ranks high in the list of provinces that suffered the highest work-related fatalities. BC saw 59 injury-related deaths in 2016, and had an average injury fatality rate of 2.8 per 100,000 between 2012–16.

safety training program at work

These statistics highlight the need for safety measures for construction site workers. Construction is inarguably an industry that demands training to deal with high-risk tasks. Not only is it important to train the staff for the skills they require to perform tasks, but also for dealing with emergencies.

Since the work often requires you to work at heights, manage heavy machinery, and be around high-voltage wires, there’s a pressing need to ensure workers’ safety first.

Here are a few safety measures to be followed at construction sites.

Safety Training for Employees

Safety training should be an important part of the recruitment process. The acceptance criteria should not only focus on industrial skills, but also look for experience in dealing with workplace emergencies. Even if candidates with adequate safety training certifications don’t show up, you can seek their consent for becoming part of a safety training program at work.

Crew Safety Meetings

When work is in progress on a large area, it’s hard for each worker to keep track of recent developments in the project. There could be new machinery at work or a construction model that’s a risk to safety.

Workers need to be fully aware of what kinds of electronics, hazards, etc. that they’re dealing with. You need to keep reviving a ‘safety-first’ attitude among your workers and share supporting statistics as a warning and for motivation.

Protective Wear and Gear

Protective Wear and Gear - First Aid Tips

Needless to say, each construction project manager should oversee that each worker is appropriately clothed in protective wear before starting work. They should be supplied with specially-engineered safety designs that guarantee protection. Their tools and gears should also be in line with workplace safety standards.

Clean Work Space

Most workplace injuries result from a messy workspace or a construction site with piles of debris. Since loads of waste is produced regularly at construction sites, there needs to be a mechanism for cleaning on-the-go. Leaving waste material lying around can reduce workers’ mobility and result in fatal injuries like tripping and falling from a height. An unclean exit pathway can also obstruct escape routes in case of an unforeseen emergency.

Prevent Falls

When you look at the causes of deaths at workplaces, falls are one of the primary factors that lead to fatalities. Make sure you install safety equipment like toe boards, guardrails, canopy structures, screens, or nets at work. Scaffolding is another great way of ensuring worker safety at construction sites, provided that the installation is properly done.

However, in case something unfortunate does happen, the workers around should be skilled enough to provide first-aid to the victim. In case of fatal injuries, the victim can’t afford to lose time and therefore, the nearest worker is their only hope.

Make sure your workers are on board with safety standards at the construction site. We offer a range of Workplace Safety courses that teach and train students to deal with emergencies. Our programs include Forklift Training, Fall Protection Training, Space Awareness Training and Aerial Lift Operator Training. Our basic First Aid Training course in Surrey also provides thorough training for dealing with casualties. Contact us for more details.