Tradespeople are the backbone of various industries that build and create shelters, machines, and other necessities. There are numerous workplace risks associated with a tradesman’s work due to the hazardous nature of their job. Whether independent a contractor or a company-employed, tradespeople reserve the right to protect themselves from incidents that could endanger their health and livelihoods.
The following are various ways how a tradesperson can secure themselves at the workplace.
Wear Protective Equipment
Wearing protective equipment is mandatory to every tradesperson. In most cases, employers cover for the cost of equipping their employees with the proper protective gear. However, it’s a tradesperson’s responsibility to abide to this safety protocols and keep themselves protected by wearing the advised work suit. And if a tradesperson working as an independent contractor, securing their protective gear is a personal requirement that must be prioritized.
From reflective clothes to steel toe boots, a tradesperson can shop for a workwear online and choose from a selection of high-quality working apparel and accessories.
There are a few types of protective gear that one should wear, and it depends on the kind of industry they may work in. For concrete contractors, for example, here’s the following protective equipment they should wear:
Head Protection
made of hard industrial-grade material for the protection of the head. It’s vital to wear it all the time because of falling objects that may severely injure a worker.
Facial Protection
it includes an eye shield that primarily protects the eyes and the face. In industries where concrete dust and projectiles from specific tasks are more likely to hit the face, it’s vital to have this protection to avoid getting facial injuries that could cause injury.
Ear Protection
if working on concrete with large equipment, it can generate a lot of noise, especially when there’s cutting, grinding, hammering, and more. A tradesman must wear earplugs, ear muffs, use acoustic foam, or whichever was provided.
Lung Protection
prolonged exposure to concrete dust can cause silicosis and another related lung disease. It’s vital to use the appropriate protective dust mask for complete protection from inhaling concrete dust.
Body Protection
there are few types of body protection gear that can be worn, such as reflective vests, coveralls, weather wear, and more. Some wearable gear may also come as fire- and heat-resistant.
Hand Protection
protection from cuts, burns (fire and electrical), abrasions, fractures, and amputations include different types of gloves. They can be elbow-length, short, made of rubber, and other fire and heat-resistant materials.
Foot Protection
protection from sharp objects, slippery surfaces, and electrical burns include rubber boots. The different kinds of footwear are safety shoes, leggings, non-conducive footwear, toe and metatarsal guards, foundry shoes, and more.
Observe Safety Protocols
The construction industry has a few health risks. Slipping and falling account for 20% of the accidents that can happen. There are also falling tools, injuries from handling equipment, and potential muscular and joint pain from improper lifting.
Tradesperson can protect themselves by following safety protocols such as wearing hardhats to shield the head from falling objects. Wearing appropriate gear such as gloves that could protect their hands from cuts and burns while working with tools and heavy machinery. Retraining periodically will also help them refresh their memories on how to properly use the tools and equipment as well as to be reminded of the safety protocols.
Keep Workplace And Storage Tidy
A workplace for tradespeople is usually deemed to be messy. However. in reality, cleanliness is a key factor to help reduce the risk of injury. Accidental trips and falls could be caused by disorganized tools, equipment and debris lying around the site. Hence, a proper guideline is to be observed.
To keep the jobsite organized, here are some common instructions that must be followed to help keep the site safer to work in.
- Before leaving from work, it’s important to clean up debris and remains on walking surfaces, stairwells, and any route that tradies are taking to get around the site.
- Ensure to clear and dispose of the following properly: pipes, lumber, rebar, left over materials, and other types of debris that should not be blocking pathways.
- Extension cords, cables and wiring that can get feet and legs tangled should be cleared out of the way. Wind them up properly and put away in storage.
- Place storage at proper places where workers can easily reach them. Stack plywood, blocks and bricks appropriately so that nobody will trip and fall over them.
Tip: For leftover materials such as hollow blocks, they can be used as DIY side tables by stacking them in a particular way to create a surface. There might also be other materials that can be used to create a side project.
Get Tradesman Insurance
Any tradesman should know the potential risk at their workplace. They must be aware that they could get hurt anytime or lose any vital part of their livelihood. Usually, these potential risks are in the form of accidents—and accidents can happen all the time. For instance, personal tools can go missing, and there could be incidents that might involve more than one person getting hurt. Taking these things into account, a tradesman has the right to insurance coverage that will protect their health and cover for their tools and equipment as well.
For example, if they’re working under a firm, they may ask their supervisors or employers about their tradesman insurance. Insurance companies typically offer liability coverage. They can also ask if they carry optional insurance coverage for tools and equipment. Moreover, the need to inquire about getting tradesman insurance is even more important for independent contractor by calling a trusted insurance provider.
Conclusion
A tradesperson must always secure themselves at work due to the high rate of risks in the workplace. Their livelihood will be in jeopardy if they once chose to ignore safety precautions and neglect to take care of their health. They could be injured, which could result in the loss potential income and grave physical conditions.
