SAFETY HELMETS/HARD HATS

Every year in the construction industry workers are killed and many others injured as a result of head injuries. If you wear a safety helmet your chances of being seriously hurt are greatly reduced. Wearing one could save your life.

Some dos and don’ts for safety helmets

Do

1. Wear the helmet the right way round - it does not give proper protection when worn back to front. Safety comes before fashion.
2. Keep a supply of helmets for visitors on site. These should be checked before each issue.
3. Wear a chin strap if you have to bend forward or down.
4. Wear the helmet so that the brim is level when the head is upright, i.e. don’t wear it sloping up or down as this may significantly reduce the protection it can provide.

Don’t

1. Don’t use your helmet as a handy basket - it is designed to fit on your head, not for mixing cement or carrying nails!
2. Don’t paint it or use solvents to stick labels to it, or scratch an identification mark onto it: the shell could weaken and rapidly deteriorate. The manufacturer can be asked to add a label.
3. Don’t store them in heat or direct sunlight, such as in the rear window of a car. 

A properly fitting safety helmet should have the right shell size for the wearer and an easily adjustable headband, nape and chin strap. The range of size adjustments should be large enough to accommodate thermal liners used in cold weather. Safety helmets should be as comfortable as possible. A flexible headband of adequate width and contoured both vertically and horizontally to fit the forehead. An absorbent sweatband that is easy to clean or replace should be used.

SCAFFOLDING'S

When employees must conduct construction work above the ground and away from solid platforms, scaffolds may be appropriate. 

Some Useful tips to be safe while setting up Scaffolds:-

• Larger scaffolds must be designed and erected in accordance with the applicable standards.
• Ensure that scaffold anchors are sound, rigid, and capable of supporting the maximum intended load without shifting.
• Scaffolds and their components should be capable of supporting at least four times their maximum load.
• For freestanding, mobile scaffolds, the height should not exceed four times the minimum base dimension
• Do not use unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, bricks, or blocks to support scaffolds or planks
• Keep floors free of debris where mobile scaffolds are used.
• Lock scaffolds with wheels into position.
• Install guardrails, mid rails, or toe boards on the open sides and ends of platforms that are more than 4 feet above the ground or floor level. 
• Use lifelines for scaffolds that are more than 10 feet off the ground.
• Either overlap multiple planking and platforms by 12 inches or secure them to ensure stability.
• Planks must extend over end supports between 6 and 18 inches.
• Secure scaffolds to permanent structures with anchor bolts or other means.
• Do not load scaffolds in excess of their maximum load limits.
• Repair damaged scaffolds immediately.
• Do not work on scaffolds in high winds or during storms.
• Do not allow tools, equipment, or other debris to accumulate on scaffolds.
• Dismantle and remove scaffolds when they are no longer needed. 
• Do not use temporary scaffolding as a permanent installation.

BARRIERS AND GUARDS

Construction work can be particularly hazardous. Personal protective equipment, Fire safety, Electrical safety and other precautions are essential for safe construction work.

Barriers, guards, and warning signs are required to ensure safety against existing hazards. There are many types of barriers, such as tapes, guard rails, handholds, cones etc. Signs that state DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION should be placed at necessary areas. Make sure that these signs are legible, visible and brief and in a language that is understood by the local workers. Any area that poses a physical threat to workers/pedestrians requires barriers or guards. Areas such as Stairways, Hatches, Chutes, Open Manholes, Elevated platforms, Areas with moving machinery, Excavation sites, Construction sites, Temporary wall or floor openings, Doors opening into construction sites etc.