3 Red Flags That Can Lead to Construction Accidents

As a construction site manager, you realize that managing your project well is at the top of your to-do list. It is your job to oversee the project from start to finish, and to make sure that all phases of the undertaking are done without a hitch. That alone is challenging enough, but it takes some real skill to manage the project well and keep everyone safe at the same time. Luckily, making sure that every aspect of the construction site is a well-oiled machine is easier to do the more experience you have attained.

One of the things that you realize will be an asset for you would be a full understanding of how to prevent construction accidents from occurring in the first place. One way to understand would be to realize what red flags are present that can increase the chances of a construction accident. Consider addressing these issues as a way to keep your job site as safe as possible.

Lack of Appropriate Training

Appropriate training is of paramount importance for any type of tool or equipment that is necessary for the job. Simply put, if an employee is not trained to use a given piece of equipment, then they are not authorized to use it. Having only appropriately trained employees on all of the equipment is important because of just how disconcerting the statistics can be. Fatal injuries among construction and extraction professions reached a peak in 2015, with 924 individuals losing their lives.

Besides construction, there were several other professions which had fatal injuries, such as pipe-fitters, plumbers and electricians. Even more disconcerting is the fact that these are just fatalities. Literally thousands more individuals had non-fatal injuries that put them out of work for some time.

Lack of Protective Equipment

When it comes to managing the safety of a construction site, this is one of those areas where you would have to be a stickler for details. It doesn’t matter if you are dealing with one of your most experienced construction employees or the most junior one; you need to ensure that each and every employee is wearing the correct safety equipment: hard hats, gloves, boots, safety glasses and other safety equipment that is necessary for the task at hand. Moreover, there needs to be an emphasis on fall protection equipment as well. Fall protection was 2018’s most frequently cited OSHA violation in construction.

Failure to Follow Your Company’s Safety Plan and Procedures

All construction companies will have a solid safety plan in place in order to properly remain in compliance with all government safety standards. Generally, as long as employees follow these safety procedures, they will be able to do their jobs safely and efficiently. Make sure to avoid operating any safety equipment while under the influence.

Keeping these potential red flags in mind and doing all you can in order to avoid them will give you a tremendous head start when it comes to safeguarding you from any liability issues and keep all of your valuable employees as safe as possible.

If a construction accident occurs, let Wittenstein & Wittenstein provide legal assistance!