Construction Accident Prevention

Each construction project is unique and presents its own specific safety issues.

  As such, in addition to having a general safety program, a contractor needs to also have project specific safety plans.  Before a contractor ever submits a bid or quote for a job, it should study the job plans and requirements and construction schedule to better understand the safety issues involved.  It is critical that the contractor allocates adequate funds in its expected job costs to provide for safety items such as personal protective equipment, traffic control, adequate working platforms, barricades, and other items necessary for the Protection of Workers and the general public. When these precautions are not properly taken, a construction accident attorney in Toledo can help in holding the negligent party responsible.

Worker Personal Protective Equipment

To ensure the greatest possible protection of Workers, Contractors, as part of their job site assessments to identify hazards, must determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) Workers require for safety. PPE must properly fit Workers, be of safe design and construction, and meet or exceed standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Worker Training

It is the Contractor’s responsibility to provide and ensure Workers are trained in all aspects of safety, including hazard recognition, using PPE, and following safe work practices. To accomplish this training, Contractors must ensure that it has competent personnel who are thoroughly trained in safety compliance, instruction, and supervision.

Workers must ensure they follow all safety procedures. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to correct or remove workers who pose a safety hazard to themselves or others.

Project Safety Meetings

Generally, at the beginning of a construction project, supervisory personnel meet to review the job and discuss safety.  All safety policies and procedures applicable to the work should be discussed and reviewed.  A “competent person” who has authority and responsibility for the Contractor’s safety obligations should be designated.  This individual must ensure the safety policies/procedures are disseminated to all workers.

Safety Meetings

Designated safety personnel across all trades on site should meet on a regular basis to review accident and other safety issues/deficiencies that have occurred.  Corrective measures should be established and safety controls implemented/revised to ensure potential hazards to Workers are communicated and addressed.

Not sure if your construction site injury accident could have been prevented? Let our attorneys help and get your medical bills paid at the same time. Call for a free consultation, Live Chat on our website, or order your free copy of our new book, Injured Worker’s Guide: Ohio Construction Accidents.