The Tradesman’s Guide To Workplace Safety
by Arnab Dey Business Security Systems Published on: 19 April 2022 Last Updated on: 20 April 2022
Regardless of what trade you are in, you need to be sure that you stay safe when you’re at work. Whether you are working on large construction sites, smaller projects, you’re working in public areas or you are visiting private homes for smaller jobs safety should always be paramount.
There are risks associated with just about every trade, whether you are a roofer, electrician, plumber, mechanic, painter, landscaper, or are involved in any other trade.
To ensure that you can carry out your work safely and avoid injury, you need to take the right precautions for workplace safety.
As most people know, tradies work hard and most trades are labor-intensive. As well as looking after yourself at work and staying safe while you’re on the job, you also need to take care of yourself outside of the workplace.
Getting enough rest between shifts, exercising regularly, and following a good diet can help to keep you more alert when you are at work. Being more alert and aware of what is going on around you can be key in helping you to stay safe when you are at work.
You should also take some time to stretch out after a hard day’s work to prevent injuries, moving forward. The last thing you want is to be unable to work simply because you didn’t look after your own well-being during your time away from the job site.
Let’s Take A Look At Some Useful Tips That You Can Use To Enhance Workplace Safety:
1. Wear Protective Gear
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential on construction sites and should never be overlooked. Hi vis workwear should always be worn along with a helmet, safety glasses, and gloves.
It’s’ also advisable to wear clothing that is hard-wearing, suitable to the environment you are working in, and also appropriate for the season you are working in.
Finally, you should pay close attention to your footwear, opting for tough work boots that have anti-slip soles and hard toes to keep your feet protected and reduce your risk of falling.
Depending on the type of work you are doing, additional PPE such as hearing protection or face shields may be required.
2. Focus On Education
Knowledge is one of the best tools you have at your disposal when it comes to on-site safety. Taking a course that focuses on construction site safety or even undergoing first aid training can help to give you the skills you need to stay safe and help anyone else who gets in trouble while at work.
If you are using dangerous machinery, you will also need to have completed your White Card, or general construction training card with a qualified RTO. This card should be kept with you at all times and is a legal requirement to be on a worksite in Australia.
3. Lift Safely
One of the biggest causes of injuries on construction sites is incorrect lifting techniques. Every worker on a construction site will need to move something from A to B throughout a regular workday.
To ensure you don’t suffer any unnecessary injuries, it’s crucial that you bend your knees, keep a straight back, and plant your feet firmly on the ground before lifting.
Lift in a fluid motion and avoid jerking or twisting. Use a trolley where possible or ask for help with heavier lifts and never allow your ego to get in the way of you staying safe on-site.
4. Use The Right Tools
Whether you are using your own tools or they have been provided by your employer, you need to be sure that they are well-maintained and working correctly.
You should also make sure that you know how to use the tools properly to ensure that you avoid potential injuries from misuse.
While it’s important to be able to think on your feet and be creative when you are working on a construction site, be careful not to use the wrong tool for the job.
Being lazy and completing a particular task with a tool that is not ‘fit for purpose’ can lead to catastrophic results which can put both you and other workers around you in real danger.
5. Put The Right Protocols In Place To Stay Safe When You’re On The Job
Construction sites are notoriously dangerous and there is constantly a risk of something going wrong. As a tradesman, this is an environment that you will be working in every day, so you need to put protocols in place to minimize the dangers around you so you stay safe.
Following the tips outlined above, you will be able to quickly and easily reduce the risk of injury at work and stay safe when you are at work moving forward.
Make workplace safety a priority when you’re at work and you will be able to avoid injuries at work and keep your career moving in the right direction as a result.
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