How to Protect Yourself Before Working on a Construction Site
If you’re getting started in the construction industry, you know that you have an exciting and fruitful career ahead of you. To make that career as successful as possible, you need to stay safe on the job, every time. Protecting yourself is simple if you’re prepared. Before you start your next construction job, take a look at these safety tips.
Understand and Follow Safety Protocols
It’s important to understand the rules of your workplace before starting any job, but it’s especially important for people working in construction. Understanding the safety protocols and then making sure to follow them closely will protect your health and your job.
To stay safe on the job, make sure to wear the proper equipment, hard hats especially can protect you from injury. Non-skid boots will also help you stay safe on the job. Using proper technique when lifting heavy things can prevent injury. Finally, be sure to use a spotter when you move equipment.
Wear Hearing Protection
Most everyone knows it’s important to be safe on construction sites, but people often forget how important it is to protect their hearing. Construction sites can be loud, and that noise over time can negatively impact your hearing. Recognize the noise in your environment and act appropriately to protect yourself.
Tinnitus commonly occurs among people who work with loud environments. So, to properly protect your ears while working, wear industrial ear plugs when working in loud environments. Make sure to buy ear plugs that don’t go too far into your ear, so you don’t inadvertently cause damage.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
One of the most important parts of staying safe on the job, is paying attention to your environment. Even with the best equipment, always be sure surfaces are stable and not slippery before stepping on to them. Pay attention to others working around you and be sure to give plenty of space to those working with heavy equipment. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or talk to a supervisor if something seems unsafe on the job. It’s better to take care of a problem before it happens than to deal with an accident on the job.
Working in construction can be an exciting career. By understanding the risks of the job and acting accordingly, you can extend your career and build a positive reputation. Your safety is always important, and when you make it a priority, you are sure to be successful and healthy well into the future.
Read this next: What to Do If You Are Injured at Work
