Work In The Construction Industry? 4 Steps To Protect Yourself From Work-Related Injuries
If you're a construction worker, you run the risk of being injured on-the-job. According to statistics, tens of thousands of construction workers are injured on the job each year. The same statistics show that most of the injuries happen to workers who are between the ages of 25 and 34. If you fall within that range, you owe it to yourself to protect yourself against work-site injuries. Here are four simple steps you can take to protect yourself on-the-job:
Wear Appropriate Safety Gear
When it comes to avoiding construction-related injuries, one of the most important steps you can take is to wear the appropriate safety gear. Wearing the right gear can protect you from a variety of injuries.
Steel-Toed Boots
If you're going to be working on an active construction site, you need to be wearing steel-toed boots at all times. It might seem like you should be able to wear ordinary boots, but that's not the case. Without steel-toed boots, your feet aren't protected against serious crushing injuries.
Reflective Clothing
Construction sites can be busy places, with people and machinery moving in all different directions. Because of this, it can be difficult to be seen. That's why it's important for you to wear reflective clothing, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when lighting isn't the best.
Harnesses
If you're going to be working on the roof, or other elevated surfaces, you need to be wearing a harness at all times. Your harness will prevent falls should you lose your balance while on the roof.
Don't Work Through Your Lunch Break
When you work on a construction site, you shouldn't take your breaks for granted. Those breaks give you an opportunity to sit down and rest, which will help prevent fatigue. Working while you're fatigued can lead to serious workplace injuries. To protect yourself, make sure you take your lunch break every day.
Report Work-Site Safety Issues
When you're at work, you owe it to yourself to keep an eye out for potential risks, such as damaged equipment or other hazards. If you identify possible risks, you need to report them to your foreman as soon as possible. Reporting the safety issues will ensure that those issues get taken care of before they can cause injuries. Not only that, but if you're injured due to those issues that you've reported, you'll be able to use that information when you file your worker's compensation claim.
If you're going to be working in the construction field, use the information provided here to help prevent workplace injuries. If you do happen to be injured on-the-job, be sure to contact a construction injury attorney who has experience with construction-site accidents.