During the course of construction, watch out for flying debris of all types including sparks, metal scraps, hydraulic fluid, and rocks.
Sparks from a cutoff saw or pipe saw are particularly dangerous. Wear safety goggles when working with or around these types of saws. Maintain a safe distance from flammable materials when using a saw, and position your work so sparks fly away from flammables. Watch out for how sparks may affect co-workers.
Watch for broken pieces of metal flying off flaring tools or other hammered pieces of steel. To prevent this hazard, grind off any burrs on the piece of metal being worked. Do the same for any striking heads of bars of flaring tools that are mushrooming. Whenever possible, use a brass or nonmetallic hammer.
Broken hydraulic hoses on loaders, excavators, and backhoes can expel hot hydraulic fluid. This is another reason to keep your distance from heavy equipment. If a hose breaks when you are working on a piece of equipment, turn off the equipment immediately.
Rocks and dirt can be launched by pipe ruptures or by rolling tires. Keep round rocks off construction roads and trafficked areas. Remind workers in trenches to watch out for flying rocks when dump trucks pull up to or away from a trench. If a water or gas line is broken, beware of dirt and rocks flying out of the trench.
Keeping the Site Neat
A lot of debris that can cause harm at a construction site can be stored elsewhere, or put safely in a dumpster. What is true around the office or the lunchroom is also true on a construction site—a little housekeeping can go a long way toward a safer site. Here are some recommendations:
- Keep the construction site as clean as you can. Pick up and properly discard scrap materials and debris, including wood, protruding nails, forms, and fasteners. They can cause injury and are health hazards.
- Work areas, passage ways, and stairs should be kept clear and free of debris.
- Provide separate waste containers for the collection of construction debris waste and rancid trash or garbage. Make sure trash is disposed of at regular intervals.
- Provide appropriate containers with lids for the collection of hazardous wastes, such as oily rags and flammable solvent. Keep incompatible materials separated.
Working on construction sites is a way of life for many workers. Most injuries at these sites are serious but preventable.
- Use common sense
- Be alert
- Make eye contact
If everyone works together, accidents can be prevented. Remember, safety is everybody’s job.