Staying Safe on Site

If you’ve worked on a building site for a long time the health and safety measures may be second nature to you, however they are always adjustments and developments to these rules which should be kept on top of. We’ve noted the main points below for keeping safe and out of harm's way on a building site.

Always wear the proper equipment

The hard hat is synonymous with building sites, but there is a reason for that. It really can and has proven to be a life saver. There are so many situations where accidents can happen and without a hat and steel capped boots, you’re putting yourself and others at a serious risk. You shouldn’t be allowed on a site without these items, and you should be reminded of this regularly. Take a look at Lords range of workwear and protective gear

Make sure you have awareness of what’s around you

This might sound obvious, but when you’re engrossed in a job or task it can be easy to get distracted and not be paying as much attention as you should be. Most accidents on a site can happen when people aren’t aware of the hazards that could be around them. Always make sure you’re alert and ready for any falling materials or dangerous situations.

Being safe around large vehicles.

On average there are ten deaths a year on construction sites of people being hit by large vehicles. It’s one of the biggest risks on a site and needs to be thought about carefully on every job. Just like any other vehicles, these huge machines can have blind spots and obstructed vision, so going near them when in action can be very dangerous. Make sure you’re being sensible and communicating with drivers safely if you need to. Stand out to heavy machinery operators and vehicle drivers with Hi-Vis workwear, you can find options here.

 Tools and machinery

Of course, one of the most dangerous aspects of working on a construction site is the heavy machinery that is constantly moving round, not to mention very dangerous (and potentially very painful) tools. When using power tools it’s recommended to always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes, and please ensure all equipment is safety tested regularly. If you want to protect those around you, tools should also be left as they’re found with all safety guards working and in place. Blackrock’s Safety Spectacles are the tried and tested safety glasses for the tradesmen.

Health and safety

We’ve all also had to a adjust to a new way of living and working over the past year and construction and building sites are no exception. Although the industry has been lucky in that it has generally been able to operate to some capacity throughout the pandemic, there have been some big changes to how sites have been able to operate and what new safety measures have been implemented. There are a few main things to think about when keeping safe on site throughout 2021 and beyond.

A new risk assessment

Before the work can begin, a Coronavirus Risk Assessment must be undertaken and approved to keep teams and customers safe. This assessment will refer to government and council guidance, as well as social distancing, hygiene and the presence of vulnerable people among the usual health and safety measures.

Using PPE where relevant

Dependant on your role you’ll need to wear protective equipment above the usual safety measures such as safety googles, gloves and of course masks. If you’re working outdoors and effectively and easily can socially distance these may not be required, but that will be outlined and suggested in the assessment. Although perhaps uncomfortable, it is provided to keep as many people safe as possible. A range of PPE workwear is available on the Lords website.

Onsite safety

In order to stick to guidelines provided by the government, any team would need to stick to social distancing measures. You may be required to travel into work separately and maintain social distancing at all time, also cleaning and hygiene measures might be increased, and hand sanitiser will be provided and expected to be used regularly. Also, anything that is touched regularly including machinery or tools should be wiped down after every use.

Overall, the rules are simple when keeping safe on a building site. Wear your equipment and stay alert not only to protect yourself, but also the others around you.