The construction industry is regarded as one of the most dangerous professions in the world, with a high amount of accidents and fatalities occurring among construction workers. In the year 2010-2011, 50 workers in the construction industry were killed on the job. This is more workplace deaths than any other industrial sector and it is an increase over the previous year when 41 workers died.
Why Is Construction Work so Dangerous?
The typical day in the life of a construction worker might include a wide range of tasks, from building to repairing to maintaining or demolishing. They work within factories, buildings, bridges, tunnels, docks and more. A construction worker is often lifting heavy loads, working with loud and dangerous machinery, working within a dusty and dirty environment and often working at heights. They have a high risk of suffering from back pain, skin problems, breathing problems, stress and other problems that are caused by loud noises and vibrations.
The risks within the construction industry are often particular to the specific area or trade. For example, stonemasons and brick masons will suffer from dermatitis caused by contact with cement. They will also suffer back problems from carrying heavy loads. Electricians are at risk for exposure to asbestos dust when they are repairing wiring in old homes. Since carpet layers spend a lot of time on their knees smoothing down carpets, they are susceptible to chronic knee problems. Any construction worker involved in a work site that is near to a highway has a risk of exposure to engine exhaust. These are just a few examples of risks to construction workers, as there are many more.
Construction Training to Reduce Risks On-Site
Health and safety officers within this industry will have a specific qualification; the NEBOSH Construction Certificate focuses on the risks particular to this industry. The training for the NEBOSH training provides participants with a very good foundation in safety management which helps to ensure that they can make the right decisions when it comes to health and safety in the construction workplace. The course includes information on construction law and management, construction site hazards, work equipment, electrical hazards, fire hazards and much more.
It is evident that working in the field of construction carries with it many risks. This is why it is so crucial to take the time to ensure that construction workers are performing their jobs in the safest way possible. We can decrease the risk of injury or fatality by improving the health and safety procedures in the workplace.
The construction certificate is an important qualification that empowers health and safety professionals to make the construction workplace as safe to work in as it can possibly be.