There are a variety of potential dangers and hazards looming everywhere around a construction site. Slips and falls rank among the most common, with back injuries, broken bones, and being hitting with falling debris following closely as well. Unfortunately, there is a very long list of other potential dangers that one might not as easily recognize or identify. Understanding health and safety issues is a key concern in keeping your workers compensation expenses down, and in reducing the number of workers comp claims filed by your employees.
Consider noxious chemicals, vapors and fumes. Construction sites usually go hand-in-hand with a variety of chemicals, glues, paints, lubricants, sealants and other materials that can easily become toxic especially when inhaled directly or when ventilation is minimal. In addition, some of these chemicals can not only cause respiratory issues, but they can also have a direct effect on vision, mucus membranes, skin and even airway passages. Burning from fumes or vapors can cause serious, long term injury.
Another concern, of similar nature includes liquids, gases and chemicals of a flammable nature as well as loud noise from machinery and general construction activity. These are, of course, just a small sampling of a few of the types of safety hazards that might be present on or around a construction site. A WCCOP representative will be happy to discuss how to perform a safety inspection and address specific safety concerns for your worksite.
