The construction industry is an industry filled with potential dangers therefore construction safety is a priority that should not be overlooked at a construction site. By using appropriate safety measures, and understanding the hazards and their consequences these dangers can be minimized to create a better working environment. Let’s look at construction safety at construction sites in Kenya.
What is construction safety?
Construction safety refers to the protection of construction workers from potential hazards on the site. workers must be aware of these dangers and take precautions against them.
Why is construction safety important in Kenya?
It is essential to practice construction safety in Kenya because construction workers are at higher risk than workers in different industries. accidents in construction industries can result in serious injuries or even worse fatalities.
Implementing safety measures at residential construction sites in Kenya
Below are some measures that can reduce accidents and protect people at the construction site.
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Ensure workers wear protective equipment
One of the ways to reduce accidents at the construction sites is by setting minimum requirements for construction protective gear that every worker must have when working and conducting regular inspections to ensure continued proper functionality.
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Install signs to remind people of the risks
You can also make your construction site safer by installing signs to let individuals know of the potential risks. Ensure the signs are easy to read and are visible from a distance for example speed limit signs in areas with a heavy traffic flow of machinery.
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Provide proper training before the use of tools and heavy equipment operation
Equipment on construction sites are dangerous to use especially if people don’t know how to use them, ensure the workers are properly trained on how to use the equipment
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Provide procedures for reporting faulty equipment
Train the workers on how to inspect the construction equipment to know if it is faulty and provide a process they should follow to report the faulty equipment, therefore, reducing the risk of using it while faulty.
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Asses the site to identify and minimize dangers
Not all construction sites in Kenya have the same potential dangers, therefore evaluate your construction site to identify the specific risks and find ways to minimize them. Also, ensure the site is inspected before the work begins.
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Ensure workers use the right tools for the right task
Often, accidents occurring in construction sites are caused by the misuse of tools. Ensure the workers use the correct tools to perform the right task instead of makeshift tools.
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Have an emergency plan
Ensure you have an emergency response plan at your construction site that will direct the workers on what to do when emergencies like natural disasters, fire, hazardous spills, and other incidents occur. Also, have a dedicated team to manage emergencies.
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Provide safety training and culture
Provide training programs to employees on how to navigate their working conditions safely and establish a strong safety culture at the construction site by demonstrating that staying safe at the site is an ongoing priority.
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Ensure there is site security
Restricted access should not only be put in place to protect equipment from theft and damage but also to protect pedestrians and workers from potential hazards. This includes supervision and authorized site personnel.
CONCLUSION
As you approach making your construction site in Kenya safe remember that construction safety is about instilling commitment and accountability to safety in all workers and knowing that construction site safety is a combined effort from everyone on ground. Chances of accidents and injuries occurring are reduced when people are aware of the potential risks and construction safety rules in place.
