Back to Basics: Safety Tips

As a construction worker, you are part of a team of skilled professional craft workers, and accident prevention is part of your job. It takes everyone’s effort to keep a jobsite safe. There are many things you can do to help prevent accidents.

Try your best to follow these guidelines, and all of us will have a safer place to work.

Personal Safety

• Wear proper clothing and sturdy footwear; jewelry, watches and rings must be left at home.
• Come to work fully rested
• Use the correct personal protective equipment when the task requires it, and keep this safety gear in good condition and replace it as necessary.
• Damaged or lost equipment should be reported to your supervisor.
• Keep your work area clean and neat. Don’t let your housekeeping get out of hand

Equipment Safety

• Follow the warnings written on labels.
• Observe signs, regulations and procedures; ask your supervisor about any you don’t understand.
• Never bypass safety valves or devices.
• Follow lock out – tag out practices where required to do so.
• Check your electrical tools prior to use.
• Whenever possible plug into electrical outlets that are protected with GFCI’S.
• Do not use tools with split, broken, or loose handles.
• Shut off engines and let them cool down prior to refueling; and never smoke around flammables.

Workplace Safety

• Remove protruding nails or bend them over.
• Wipe up spills of oil, water, or grease.
• Keep walkways, aisles, traffic lanes and fire exits clear of debris and other materials.
• When working in new areas of the jobsite, take a few minutes to look around to locate obvious hazards.
• Don’t leave any floor openings unprotected. Cover floor holes securely or guard with standard guardrails. 
• Make sure you have the right type and size of ladder. Climb it facing the rungs and be sure your hands are free to hold onto the ladder. 
• Watch out for overhead power lines.
• Store flammable liquids in approved containers.
• Report any accidents to your supervisor. If you get injured, get proper first aid and seek medical assistance if necessary.
• Keep your mind on your work.
• Drugs and alcohol don’t have a place on the job.
• Horseplay and practical jokes cause accidents, so keep them off the job. Practice accident prevention.