Construction Safety: Preventing Workplace Accidents [+ Free Lesson Plan Download]
Construction is among the top four most dangerous industries — and it continues to report more fatal occupational injuries than any other industry.
The most common construction fatalities stem from Construction Focus Four hazards (falls, struck-by, electrocutions, and caught-in/between), which caused roughly two-thirds of fatal construction injuries in 2019. Falls alone caused 401 of those deaths.
To prevent injuries and fatal accidents, construction workers need to know exactly how to handle the numerous hazards they face each time they set foot on the job site. And that’s where safety training comes in.
Construction accidents are tragic and expensive
Unfortunately for Jay Ayers, who was working on the construction of a 30,000-sq-ft casino, his company’s lack of safety planning cost him his life. Ayers was crushed by a 3,000-lb. metal gate, which collapsed near a loading dock where he was working.
For their failure to inspect for hazards, install warning signs, and educate employees on recognizing workplace dangers, OSHA slapped the project’s three contractors with $64,169 in combined penalties. An OSHA representative commented, “Required oversight and communication related to workplace safety and health could have prevented this tragic loss of life.”
Construction safety training doesn’t have to be a challenge
You don’t have to let your workers become another fatal statistic, or let your company face costly fines. With proper safety training and procedures, construction accidents are entirely avoidable.
We know it can be a daunting task to prepare your employees for the sheer number of construction hazards. And it can seem impossible to train around schedules, tight deadlines, and health and safety precautions in an ever-changing workplace.
But safety training is too important to put off till tomorrow. To help construction safety personnel juggle scheduling, meet training deadlines, and cover critical safety topics, TriMedia provides a learning management system and online training solution. With Drive EHS, your team can complete critical safety courses in the office, at a toolbox talk, or anywhere in between — and you can track their progress no matter where they train.
A series of construction safety courses is now available, including topics such as:
- Caught-In/Between Hazards
- Dealing with Drug & Alcohol Abuse
- Electrocution Hazards
- Hand & Power Tool Safety
- Hazard Communication
- Introduction to GHS
- Ladder Safety
- Lead Exposure
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Slips, Trips and Falls
- Struck-By Hazards
- Walking and Working Surfaces
To get started on better protecting your team from workplace accidents and injuries, download the Construction Safety Lesson Plan.