Summer Construction: Tips for Accident Prevention
With the weather getting warmer and daylight hours increasing, construction work is in full swing. This increase in construction sites also means an increase in possible dangers. Hence, it is important to beware of potential construction hazards which can lead to serious bodily injury or death.
Workers and construction companies should follow standard safety protocols in order to avoid accidents.
Examples of safety measures include:
- Daily safety meetings. Everyone working on a job site should meet daily to review site progress and changing circumstances. A construction site changes on a constant basis, and with each change comes new safety hazards. Changes also mean that new regulations will come into play. At the meetings, everyone should be reminded that safety is the top priority for all employees.
- Work should be accomplished during the daytime. Working at night comes with an increased risk for accidents due to decreased visibility in the dark. Furthermore, workers tend to be more fatigued at night. If nighttime work is required, employees should be restricted to low-risk tasks.
- Proper safety gear should be provided. Gear includes: hard hats, hearing protection, harnesses, protective eyewear, slip-resistant boots, heavy-duty gloves, and masks.
- Reflective clothing should be worn. This clothing can help reduce many types of accidents and can save workers from being hit by vehicles.
- Scheduled breaks. Regular breaks must be allowed to keep workers alert and hydrated.
- Warning signs. Areas with high voltage and open wires must be marked and cordoned off where practical electricity should be turned off when not in use.
- Clothing for direct sun. Sunlight can lead to fatigue, which is a major cause of construction site accidents. Workers should wear hats and long-sleeved shirts to minimize the effect of prolonged sunlight exposure.
Contact a Milwaukee, WI, Construction Accident Attorney
If you have been injured at a construction site, you may be able to file a claim against the responsible party in order to obtain compensation for your damages. The best way to determine what your options are is to meet with a personal injury attorney for a full analysis of your claim.
For example, your injury may fall under workers’ comp, which has a more limited recovery scheme. On the other hand, if the party liable for your injuries is not your direct employer, you may have a personal injury claim that allows for your pain and suffering to be redressed.
Contact the accomplished Milwaukee construction site injury lawyers at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP at 414-271-1440 to schedule your first meeting today.
Source:
http://www.constructionworld.org/top-10-tips-preventing-accidents-construction-sites/