Construction sites can be dangerous places to work. Accidents have the potential to be life threatening.
Watch the Video: A Makeshift Fireworks Show Sparks Flames
Around 9:40 p.m. on a Sunday night, a trained UCIT security operator was watching a construction site as a group of people arrived. Two individuals approached the barricade and placed something inside some of the barrels. They ignited the contents and quickly backed away as explosives shot out. When the fireworks stopped, one person appeared to rearrange the contents of a barrel, re-lit them and ran away. Again, the contents exploded. One of the barrels continued to smoke, then caught fire. Our trained operator, who was still watching, called the fire department. They arrived minutes later to douse the flames before they produced devastating loss.
Safety is always a concern at construction sites, and not just for the people who work on them. Trespassers and vandals can cause costly damage to structures and equipment that can halt the progress of a project.
How Can Construction Workers Prevent Heat Stroke During the Summer?
The summer heat can be detrimental to many people, especially construction workers. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have specific standards about occupational heat exposure, but workers’ rights do state that working conditions must not pose a risk of serious harm. This includes heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reflects the same information.
OSHA published an infosheet outlining factors that might increase a construction worker’s risk during the summer months, health problems caused by increased temperatures, and how construction sites can help prevent these problems. Click here to see the full article.
New York City’s New Construction Safety Requirements to Decrease and Prevent Fatalities
Construction safety should be the number one concern for every worker and project manager. According to the United States Department of Labor, there were over 600 fatalities at construction sites in 2016. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that the two biggest safety violations at construction sites were related to fall protection and hazard communications. Learning proper safety guidelines can help prevent workplace negligence, which can decrease injuries and fatalities. Click here to see the full article.
Do You Know Your Construction Weather Forecast?
Before beginning outdoor work, supervisors should stay up-to-date with weather forecasts by listening to NOAA weather reports. They should also identify shelter locations. These should be fully enclosed buildings with electrical wiring and plumbing. If safe building structures are not accessible, construction workers should go inside hard-topped metal vehicles and roll up the windows. Wherever they are, they should remain indoors until 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.
Lightning is very dangerous and should be recognized as an occupational hazard. It’s very difficult to know when it’s going to strike, so NOAA recommends listening to weather alerts, including the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards. There are also lightening detections and notification services available. Click here to see the full article.
If you have any questions about construction security, contact us here.
