Engineers required strict safety regulations during the Golden Gate Bridge construction - Blr . com
In the 1930s , when the construction of San Francisco ’ s Golden Gate Bridge was underway , it was commonplace for the industry to accept one fatality for every million dollars invested in a project . However , Chief Project Engineer Joseph Strauss refused to accept this status quo . Determined to prioritise safety , he commissioned a rope-and-mesh safety net beneath the bridge ’ s roadway structure . This innovative net proved crucial in saving the lives of 19 workers , who became known as members of the “ Halfway-to- Hell Club ,” as documented by the Golden Gate Highway & Transportation District . Additionally , Strauss enforced strict safety measures , including the mandatory use of hard hats , safety lines , and respirators during riveting to prevent workers from inhaling lead-contaminated fumes . Failure to comply with these practices resulted in potential dismissal . Despite these precautions , 11 lifes were lost during the project , with 10 deaths occurring after a scaffold section fell through the safety net . However , it is important to note that without the net and other stringent safety requirements , the number of fatalities would have been significantly higher .
This historical example highlights the crucial starting point of any successful safety programme : acknowledging that the existing standards are insufficient to adequately protect workers . It involves thoroughly documenting safety concerns , collaborating with regulatory bodies to establish appropriate standards , and educating employees to ensure they possess the knowledge and understanding needed to keep themselves safe .
Top Ten Health and Safety Risks in Construction - Safeworkplace
The construction industry accident fatality rate stands at more than double that of the all-sector average – minor accidents are almost incalculably more . Put simply , construction sites are a health and safety nightmare – almost every conceivable hazard exists within this constantly changing working environment .
However , the hazards associated with construction sites are well known . Most responsible employers are aware of their duty of care to employees , visitors , and those that may be affected by their activities , and will manage the site effectively , implementing appropriate accident prevention measures . Risk assessments are carried out by management to identify hazards and the risks posed .
Listed below are the main hazards that are encountered on a typical construction site :
1 . Working at Height The construction of buildings – or indeed , demolition works – frequently requires tradesmen to work at height . Fatalities and injuries involving height-related factors account for many accidents each year .
The risks associated with working at a height are often increased by added access and mobility restrictions . Training , including safety awareness training , is essential for employees required to work at height .
2 . Moving Objects The work site is an ever-changing environment ; hazards are inherent to this industry and they only increase as the construction project progresses , as things rise and expand .
Construction sites can get quite hectic with the sheer volume of constantly moving vehicles and tradespeople , overhead lifting equipment shifting heavy loads , supply vehicles and dumper trucks everywhere , all manoeuvring around a usually uneven terrain .
3 . Slips , Trips , & Falls When you consider the diverse range of activities going on at a construction site at any one time , it seems hardly surprising that slips , trips , and falls happen on an almost daily basis .
Construction sites are a mash of holes in the ground , buildings at various stages of completion , scaffolding , stored materials and equipment — you really need eyes in the back of your head at times .
4 . Noise Noise is a major hazard within the construction industry . Repetitive , excessive noise causes long-
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