Were you aware that the construction sector records a higher number of deadly injuries than any other field of employment, contributing to 21% of all occupational deaths?
Construction involves a lot of hazardous activities unique to the industry that often result in injuries and deaths. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), most death victims succumb to dangerous falls and injuries from falling objects.
Others die out of electrocutions, while a few get trapped in or between objects, resulting in untimely deaths. Thus, going through a safety training program is vital to stay out of danger.
But what construction safety training program should you pursue?
Well, there are hundreds of training courses for construction workers. We'll outline seven of the best safety training programs workers can take to improve safety on the job.
What Is Safety Training for Construction Workers?
Safety training can be defined as events that help construction workers to gain the requisite knowledge and skills as regards job performance especially as it relates to safety.
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Construction safety training is regarded as a essential training program that is aimed at helping protect the construction workforce when undertaking their tasks. Such programs train workers in the following safety areas:
- Fire safety
- Electrical safety
- Proper use of construction equipment
- Lockout/Tagout
- First aid administration
- Precautions while working at heights
Examples of safety training programs include OSHA construction training, fall prevention and protection, power tools handling training programs, and more.
6 Essential Safety Training Programs
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Without further ado, here are six essential safety training programs with courses that will help you meet the training requirements that every construction worker should have.
1. OSHA Construction Training Program
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has different courses that provide construction safety to workers.
Their programs can help any level of worker because they address a wide range of subjects such as electrical safety, PPE, excavation-related hazards, falls, scaffold hazards, and fire protection plans. And thus no matter whether you are a newbie or a working professional, OSHA has a training course for you.
OSHA training makes construction workers more conversant with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, exposes the construction worker to the requirements of inspection, and makes sure they comply with the construction laws.
Addressing concerns ranging from confined spaces to industrial hygiene, the courses delve into various hazards and equip employees with the basic skills to navigate specific cases. Whether through online training or hands-on instruction, OSHA's programs provide a comprehensive overview of health and safety practices, enabling workers to complete their tasks while minimizing risk.
2. Forklift Safety Training
A forklift in motion is a safety risk in motion. Employers should ensure their workers and operators have received proper forklift training to improve job safety and effectiveness.
OSHA defines a powered industrial truck (PIT), commonly known as a forklift, as "any mobile, power-propelled vehicle used to carry, push, pull, stack, lift, or tier materials." The construction industry uses forklifts to move materials across sites and distances.
Can forklifts cause accidents?
Absolutely Yes. Industry sources show that nearly 100,000 forklift workers are injured yearly, with about 80 annual deaths. With 1 in 10 forklifts involved in accidents, it's easy to see why forklift training is essential for construction workers.
Not sure where to get your forklift training? These OSHA-compliant forklift safety training videos will show you how to properly load and utilize forklifts and remain accident-free and safe on the job. They'll also help you understand the hazards of working with forklifts.
Whether through online courses or hands-on instruction, mastering forklift safety is essential. By fostering a basic understanding of forklift operation, construction workers can significantly mitigate common hazards and enhance overall safety on the job. In a construction industry where safety is paramount, proper forklift training reduces accidents, prevents injuries, and maintains a secure work environment.
3. Fall Prevention & Protection Course
Falls are a leading cause of death in construction sites. As such, fall prevention training is essential for all construction workers.
A fall prevention and protection program will equip workers with the knowledge to identify and assess potential fall hazards at construction sites. It also imparts knowledge on correctly utilizing and maintaining fall protection equipment, fostering competence in its application.
Moreover, a robust fall prevention and protection program should also detail the different safety measures workers should take to protect themselves from unsafe falling objects. The curriculum outlines a diverse range of safety measures essential to shielding workers from these risks.
4. Crane Hazards Management
Cranes are some of the essential tools utilized in construction subsectors, and their operation, especially inappropriately, is hazardous. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) indicates that cranes are accountable for about 44 fatalities per year in the US thus the importance of effective crane hazard control.
Crane-related fatalities and accidents may happen due to one or the other reasons. For example, improper loading, structure failure, or contact with overhead power lines can cause fatal accidents.
To work on these issues, a proper crane hazard management program is essential. It should equip the workers with information concerning the right way of loading and offloading the materials. In addition, the program should cover complete guidance on the pre-operation assessments and the proper manner in which the machine and the inspection devices are to be maintained.
5. Excavation and Trenching Safety
Trenching and excavating are high-hazard activities with the risk of cave-ins ranking high in the mining and construction sectors.
It contains information about the excavation and trenching safety program designed to prepare the participants and equip them with knowledge regarding the existence and prospect of potential dangers in construction sites or confined spaces. Such trenches can crumble at any time hence it is always advisable to be able to recognize the dangerous areas.
Many aspects of excavation should be covered in a comprehensive training program on excavation and trenching for example the placement of ladders, and how to handle the excavation Tools and types of equipment.
The workers who attend the program should be in a position to identify the difference between a trench and an excavation as well as how to avoid them without putting their lives at risk. This knowledge improves their defensiveness in the event of fatal and or non-fatal injuries while conducting excavation and trenching tasks thus promoting safety.
6. Power Tools Handling Training
The different power tools utilized by construction workers in any construction work are over five in number. With the lack of training, workers are likely to experience slight and severe injuries while working.
The impact may be anything from simple scratches and bone breaks to blindness and loss of limbs on ill-handled power tools. To reduce these risks, the reliability of power tools handling training programs cannot be doubted.
Power tools handling training covers several areas of concern as discussed below. These help offer details regarding the operation as well as maintenance of the tools and enable participants to enhance guarded efficient tool usage. Discussed areas are, for instance, how to choose the correct tool, wearing protective gear, and following the OSHA regulations.
The training guarantees that the workers understand aspects of power tool operations hence enhancing the safety of the workers on construction sites. In this way, they contribute to the establishment of enhanced safety promotion since both the employee and employer are actively participating in creating a safety culture in a construction or a general industry.
Wrapping Up
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Employees involved in construction activities have to practice in a safe and no-risk environment. This may be done through the correct implementation of Participant Safety Training for the employees of the employing firms. It is important to note that when the right training programs are adopted, it can be possible to minimize work-related injuries and in the same process enhance workers' productivity.
