Every industry has its fair share of health and safety risks, but the risks increase in construction due to the environment, equipment and hands-on nature of the job. Construction is the fourth most dangerous industry in Canada in terms of time-loss injuries, after forestry, transportation and manufacturing.
Understanding the most common safety risks and the construction safety training solutions tailored to combat those risks ensures a safer work environment, mitigates legal liabilities and enhances productivity.
Top Safety Risks in Construction
1. Trip and Falls
Working in poor weather outdoors can easily lead to slipping. If machines or materials are left lying around, you can easily trip over or land on them, so wearing proper footwear is essential.
2. Falling From Heights
Construction workers working on high surfaces, like roofs, are at a higher risk of serious injuries. In Canada, more than 40,000 workers get hurt each year because of fall accidents. Common causes of injury are poor lighting, slippery surfaces, missing guardrails and using equipment that is in poor condition.
3. Moving Materials
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Worksites become chaotic because of vehicles passing through and materials left lying around. Having clear routes for vehicles can minimize this risk.
4. Manual Handling
Manual handling or incorrectly lifting heavy materials can cause long-term and short-term injuries such as chronic back pains, which you can avoid by using correct lifting techniques.
5. Crane Hazards
Cranes are typical on construction worksites but dangerous if not operated correctly. Risks include crane toppling, poor visibility, electrical hazards and falling materials, potentially leading to crushed limbs, sprains, strains and other injuries.
6. Noise
Similarly, being exposed to loud noises can lead to reduced hearing or deafness. Though this can easily be alleviated through the use of safety hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs.
7. Vibrations
Prolonged use of ground working equipment and power tools can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome, which can cause painful and permanent numbness, as well as weakness in joints and muscles.
8. Respiratory Disease
Workers are constantly exposed to dust during tasks such as sawing and drilling. They’re also frequently in proximity to chemical products, which can lead to long-term illnesses such as asthma, silicosis and pulmonary issues.
9. Asbestos
Asbestos acts as an insulator, protects against corrosion and has good fire protection properties, which is why you used to be able to find it in many construction materials, such as pipe insulations, ceiling tiles and sprayed coatings.
However, asbestos materials present a risk when fibres become airborne after being drilled or cut, and can lead to several diseases, like cancer.
10. Electrocution
Technicians and electricians working near overhead power lines or cables are at risk of electrocution. An electrical shock may cause burns, internal damage, cardiac arrest and other similar injuries.
11. Welding
Welding leads to risks such as electric shocks, burns, inhalation of toxic fumes, noise pollution, eye damage and more.
12. Collapsing Environments
Collapsing environments like trenches can cause injuries and fatalities. If trenches collapse, they can trap and bury people. These are typically associated with demolition works or scaffolding collapses.
Exploring Safety Training Programs for Construction Workers
The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) offers various safety training programs, such as electrical or scaffolding safety. They familiarize workers with standards and regulations, ensure compliance with laws and guidelines and introduce them to inspection requirements, which can prevent penalties or costly fines against non-compliance.
Let’s explore a few programs that help ensure workplace safety for workers on the job.
1. Excavation and Trenching Safety
Excavation and trenching can be incredibly dangerous due to the risk of cave-ins. Excavation and trenching safety programs tackle how to protect and support unprotected trenches that can collapse at any moment, identify different risks associated with confined spaces and adequately address hazards.
2. Hazard Communication
These safety programs teach workers how to assess and identify potential health hazards like hazardous chemicals or materials on the job, as well as how to communicate them to their coworkers.
They show workers how to label such materials and how to properly store and dispose of them. Employers can be held liable if workers are harmed due to exposure to hazardous materials and haven’t received proper training to protect themselves.
3. Welding Safety
Welding safety training covers proper ventilation, protective equipment, fume control, safe handling and storage of welding materials. It teaches about health effects, such as fume fever and respiratory problems, as well as when and how to seek medical attention.
4. Crane Hazard Management
These programs cover safe unloading and loading techniques, proper maintenance and use of signaling devices, communication techniques between on-ground workers and crane operators, as well as pre-operation inspections.
5. Basic Rigging
Rigging includes lifting, placing, moving and securing equipment, heavy materials and machinery. Basic rigging safety programs teach workers how to inspect equipment for damage, how to properly set them, what the safe load capacities are and more.
6. Harnessing Training
Employees working at great heights for tasks such as window repairing require harness training. Such safety programs teach them to properly use and inspect a safety harness and safely ascend, descend and maintain their balance at heights.
Importance of Safety Training in Construction
Construction safety training ensures employees are well informed on hazards and can prevent or avoid them. They learn how to respond to emergencies, use first-aid, choose the proper personal protective equipment and safely perform tasks without creating additional hazards.
Heavy equipment can also endanger innocent pedestrians or bystanders, so it promotes public safety. It ensures you comply with regulations and protects your business from expensive legal issues.
Proper training can reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries and illnesses, reducing employee absenteeism and promoting productivity. It ensures that trained workers are more confident in their craft and in their performance.
Accidents and injuries can lead to direct and indirect costs, including:
- Hiring new workers
- Medical bills
- Reputational damage
- Project delays and disruptions
- Workers compensation
- Equipment or property damage
- Lawsuit, penalties, and fines
Safety training will help avoid these unnecessary costs and protect your workforce.
Resources
Two of the main construction associations in Canada that deal with workplace safety are the following:
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) – With 18,000 member firms, the CCA is the only national association that represents contractors, manufacturers, service providers and suppliers in Canada. They develop policy, legal and standards development.
The Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) – An umbrella organization for member provincial and territorial construction safety associations that promotes health and safety through awareness and advocacy.
