Noise
It’s difficult to construct anything in complete silence. Hammering, drilling, sawing – it all creates noise. Sometimes, the noise can be literally deafening, especially if it’s being endured day after day, for hours on end. Employees exposed to noise should be protected via PPE, which in this case comes in the form of a sizeable set of ear-defenders.
Asbestos
Contrary to widespread assumption, asbestos isn’t just one kind of naturally-occurring fibre, but six of them. If these fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious damage to the lungs – most notably in the form of mesothelioma, a cancer affecting the linings of the heart, lungs and abdomen. Dealing with asbestos requires adequate training. Site workers should know where the material is and how to deal with it. Asbestos claims account for a significant chunk of personal injury cases, and it’s always better (and cheaper) to pre-empt the problem by taking the right precautions.
Collapsing trenches
The collapse of a trench can be disastrous for those inside. Projects requiring a trench should take into account this danger, and ensure that time is made to inspect the condition of the trench, and to properly support it.
Airborne fibres & materials
Asbestos fibres aren’t the only kind of airborne harm. Whenever a material is drilled into, hammered at, or sawn through, it’ll produce particulates, some of which will be fine enough to inhale. In the long term, this isn’t good news for the workers doing the inhaling. Site managers should therefore provide protective equipment, and take measures to ensure that the equipment is being used.
Electricity
If regulations are adhered to, then electrical cabling poses minimal threat. However, construction sites might well be strewn with cabling that was installed without proper care, or prior to the introduction of said regulations. Often, it isn’t the electricity itself which causes the harm directly; an electrical shock might cause a fall, or for a tool to be dropped. By making sure that everyone who works with electricity is, in fact, a trained electrician, we can minimise this danger.
