To have complete safety in site construction is of utmost necessity when it comes to the planning and execution of any construction site. Working on-site with materials and machinery is always risky. Due to this, certain rules and regulations have become mandatory for proper safety in site construction. Looking at the measures of safety in site construction, personal protective equipment (PPE) is the foremost measure taken for the workers working on site the whole time. Except for the workers, this equipment is also necessary for anyone visiting the site temporarily. In addition, other safety in-site construction measures include building railings on site, keeping signage, planning the places for materials, etc. Looking at other aspects such as this in detail would help one understand the safety of site construction.

What Shall One Plan While Conducting Safety Checking

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All the workers must wear their protective equipment, such as helmets, gloves, and goggles, to protect them from hazards caused by falling objects, dust, and debris. Personal protective equipment is an important measure for safety in site construction. PPE refers to any clothing or equipment worn by workers that is essential to protect them from illness or injury.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Includes

1. Hard Hat or Helmet

Workers on site or visitors must wear a hat all the time that has a hard surface to ensure their safety from any unwanted falling of objects or materials while working. Also, the workers must cover their heads, protecting them from dust and any wet materials.

2. Safety Glasses

Safety glasses are the only way to protect one from the unwanted dust that occurs from the debris and the chemicals that are produced on-site. Sometimes the small stones that are cut on site can hit the eyes of workers at any unwanted point. To reduce all of these unexpected risks, one must wear protective glasses all the time.

3. Hand Protection Gloves

In construction on site, there are various metals and materials with which a worker has to deal while working. All of these materials, having different physical and reactive properties, can affect anyone in any unwanted way. Hence, to protect the skin and hands from getting cut or infected, one must wear protection gloves to ensure their safety.

4. Safety Vests

Safety vests are also referred to as visibility shirts; they come in different colours, such as green, yellow, and red. These colours help workers identify each other from a distance on-site. Moreover, these shirts have strips that glow in the dark, allowing one to see another in areas with less light.

5. Proper Clothing

One must wear six-inch-high boots to protect their legs from any unwanted dust and chemicals coming into contact. Also, protection from any sharp metals and materials on site can harm the workers, which can be avoided by wearing hard-soled shoes. They must wear full-sleeved shirts that cover their hands and skin. No part of their bodies must be exposed to the atmosphere to protect them from harmful dust and materials.

6. Hearing Protection

One must wear six-inch-high boots to protect their legs from any unwanted dust and chemicals coming into contact. Also, protection from any sharp metals and materials on site can harm the workers, which is avoidable by wearing hard-soled shoes. They must wear full-sleeved shirts that cover their hands and skin. No part of their bodies must be exposed to the atmosphere to protect them from harmful dust and materials.

7. Respiratory Protection

At times, on-site, the workers need to come into contact with various materials and unwanted dust that is produced either from the materials or the machinery. Either way, the air filters that are present on site can turn out to be harmful to people working on site. Many workers may find it unbearable to work without respiratory masks while cutting glass or metal rods, fireproofing, or handling debris.

8. Safety Harness

The safety harness is the string of rope that connects the mobile object to a fixed object for protection, which is ensured with a cable or any locking object. If this full-body fall protection is not ensured on-site, it can result in life-threatening hazards while working. This protection can help workers work easily without any tension at any height or in hanging situations.

Other Important on-site Safety Measures That Should Be Kept In Mind

There is certain planning that needs to be done while the construction site is going on. A site has to be organised in certain layouts regarding storage for the material, machinery, and places for workers on site to sit and rest.

Material Storage

There shall be proper space allotments for storing the materials on site that do not come in the way while working or walking on-site. Proper storage can prevent the materials from falling and create situations of accidents. When the materials are stored at different levels of the buildings, the safe loading capacities of the materials for the buildings must be calculated. Always keep the passageways clear for walking. The material shall be kept 6 feet away from the openings and 10 feet away from the edge of the floor.

Manual  Material Handling

A worker should always know their capacity regarding the uplifting of materials on site. They must always see to what objects can they carry and walk on site. Proper clothing is necessary for workers while handling the materials.

Mechanical material handling

A worker should always know their capacity regarding the lifting of materials on site. They must always see what objects they can carry and walk on site. Workers should wear proper clothing while handling the materials.

Guard Rails

There must be guard rails or railings inserted in every open area or elevated platform. While working, the workers might not be aware all the time of the surrounding floor they put their next step on. Ensuring their safety demands the presence of rails in the periphery.

Proper Signages

The construction site has much dust, huge material lifter machines, many people at a time, and much noise. Communication is not possible comfortably or clearly. Hence, there should be proper signboards on site. The sign boards must paste yellow stickers everywhere.

Working platforms and areas

All the working platforms must have proper scaffolding that will balance the high-end areas. There needs to be a thorough checking of errors in the platforms before starting any work. Any platform should not be used to load more than it can take.

Cleanliness and organization on-site

The pathways and passageways on the site must be clear for walking and kept organised as well. The storage of materials should be separate and not overlap with the working areas. There must also be proper waste management for the disposal of debris and other material waste.

Medical Aids

There must be first aid available on the site all the time for cuts, falls, or any other accidental emergencies. People must have a code of conduct explained to them in case of emergencies. Designated places must have fire extinguishers for fire safety measures. Checking for the availability of emergency vehicles and first aid kits during unexpected situations is important.

Looking at the growth and demand for accommodation, industries, and work, India’s safety in construction has become a crucial aspect. There are rules and regulations developed by the government that would ensure the safety of site construction. There needs to be an implementation of safety measures in construction site for the safety of workers, contractors, or any temporary visitors to ensure proper safety on the site. Following some very minute and simple rules will help ensure complete safety on the construction site. Safety in construction sites is everyone’s responsibility, from the workers to the site contractors.

Content Writing And Research By: Ar. Rajeshwari Pandya Modi