Most workplace injuries for construction workers are due to slips, trips or falls caused by improper walking and working surfaces. These accidents can certainly be prevented if proper safety precautions are implemented in advance. Surfaces can become unusable after being affected by conditions such as ice, standing water, grease, polished floors, loose flooring or carpeting, uneven structuring, poorly placed electrical cords and damaged ladder steps.

Accident prevention is rather simple in these circumstances. Everyone needs to work together to keep walkways and stairs clear of debris, coil up extension cords and hoses when not in use, keep electrical and other wires out of the way, wear appropriate footwear as well as clear parking lots, stairs and walkways in snowy weather.

Potential hazards can be avoided by:

• Covering or guarding holes in the floor as soon as they are created.
• Installing fall prevention equipment, like guard rails.
• Wearing fall arrest devices if the workers are especially exposed to a fall.
• Surveying the work site prior to start of, and continually throughout, the day.

Here are some ways to avoid creating slip and trip hazards:

• Wear work boots with slip-resistant soles.
• Promptly clean up any liquid spills.
• Ensure that the things being carried do not prevent you from seeing obstructions or spills.

Ideally, construction workers should be constantly aware of their environment, especially of their walking and working surfaces. Unfortunately, other factors such as personal matters, an upcoming meeting and a conversation with a co-worker can often affect an individual's concentration and attention to their surroundings.

If you need a construction site safety technician or a contractor safety program, contact Safety Advantage, LLC today. We make worker health and safety our top priority.