How to Avoid Being in a Construction Accident

By | May 25, 2011

Avoid Construction AccidentsIf you work in the construction industry for long enough, there is a chance that you will see or experience a construction accident. Whilst this may seem a bit dramatic, there are steps that you can take to avoid serious accidents. Taking the CSCS health, safety & environment test will help you understand the construction health and safety guidelines in the UK. The steps below may also help you further your safety knowledge.

Learn the Difference Between a Risk and a Hazard

This is something that you will be taught on your Health Safety Test. A risk is something that has a chance of going wrong and this can change in possibility depending on the circumstances. For example if it rains on a construction site, this can cause surfaces to become slippery – increasing the possible risk factor. A hazard is something that is dangerous all the time. For example if a worker is on a high piece of scaffolding without a harness, it is likely that something can go wrong.

Manage the Risks, Identify the Hazards

Identifying the possible dangers on a construction site is the best way to avoid being in a construction accident. When you understand the difference between hazards and risks, you can identify the hazards and remove the dangers. Removing the dangers will lower the risk of an accident occurring and in most cases will prevent it all together.

Learn the Proper Manual Lifting Techniques

Another part of your health, safety & environment test will be learning how to use the proper lifting techniques. In this industry depending on your job, lifting may be an unavoidable task that needs to be done on a daily basis. To avoid injury you should make sure you are familiar with the appropriate techniques for heavy lifting and implement them in your daily routine. There is nothing worse than causing injury to yourself that you could have prevented.

CSCS Health, Safety & Environment Test

The Health Safety Test is the main requirement when applying for your CSCS card in the United Kingdom. You must pass this test before you will be awarded your card, and this will show your future employers that you understand fully the health and safety guidelines in the construction industry. Learning all about the health and safety prevention methods in the construction industry will help you to avoid being in a construction accident.