How to Stay Safe When Working Alone on a Construction Site

In every commercial construction site, it is important to have someone who knows how to operate equipment properly, companies like Forklift Training Systems offers a train the trainer course for the forklift trainers, visit Forklift Training Systems website for more info. Working alone can be a rather iffy proposition in any workplace, but it’s especially more dangerous when you work on a construction site. Many companies try to avoid letting their employees work alone if it’s possible, often put them through a full barrage of relevant safety courses, and a lot of them also invest in high-tech lone worker safety solutions. Many responsible construction companies like A&ES BRITAIN also employ a confined space rescue team in cases of emergency in a worksite. If you are looking into the best workplace safety apps, you can check them out here!

However, if it can’t be helped and you need to work alone on a commercial construction site, there are still some measures to ensure your safety.

• Have first aid kits handy. Just because you don’t want to get hurt doesn’t mean that you absolutely won’t get hurt. Accidents happen, and you need to be prepared for any emergency. That’s why if you need to work alone, that place has to have first aid materials nearby so you can access them when you need them.
• Always wear your protective gear. Hard hats are of course mandatory, but you may want to take extra precautions when you have to work alone. It’s a good idea if you also wear gloves and goggles, and your boots should come with reinforced toes.
• Have someone to report to. You shouldn’t be absolutely alone at a site. There should be someone there to whom you can report so that people know where you are. You should call in to a friend when you reach your jobsite area, and then have that number ready so you can quick dial it if there’s an emergency. Before you arrive at the area, arrange for that person to call in on you if you don’t call them regularly. Make your calls or send a text message every half hour, and whenever you’re changing locations.
• Be alert. You have to be hyper aware when you’re alone, and that’s especially true when you’re working in an unfamiliar place. Check where the first aid materials are, and look for the emergency exits. Be aware of any noise that seems unusual, and if you see a person you don’t recognize you need to get out of there quickly while you call it in. Unless you’re part of security, it’s not your job to confront any trespasser.
• Be careful. Don’t be lackadaisical about your own safety, especially when you’re using tools and heavy equipment. Work professionally, and only use tools if you’re completely familiar with them. This is not the right time for you to try using a new tool for the first time, especially when there’s some sort of risk involved.
• If you get hurt, call it in. It doesn’t matter how trivial it may be. It can be a serious wound or just a scratch, but you have to call it in to your superior. They have the authority to either call you back or let you continue your work. If you do feel that you’re too hurt, consider hiring a crane accident lawyer to help you with the compensation.
• Know when you can’t work alone. Tell your boss about how you need to take special medications, or if you’re feeling unwell. If you’re especially anxious and afraid, admit to it too. All these conditions simply make it obvious that you won’t get much done anyway if you’re sent in alone.

You’ll find heavy equipment used on practically all construction projects across America. From large roadbuilding projects to residential homebuilding, heavy construction equipment is necessary to build and maintain the nation’s infrastructure — and staying safe when working around heavy equipment is vital.

If you work with or around heavy construction equipment, you’ll have a healthy respect for what these powerful machines can do. Whether you’re around a large excavator on a commercial construction site, working with a grader in the roadbuilding industry or operating a skid steer on a residential renovation project, you need to be aware of what your equipment is capable of. That includes what it’s capable of doing to you. In case these large equipment need to be transported to another location or site, it’s better to let a professional heavy equipment transportation company do it to avoid unnecessary safety risks.

Heavy construction equipment can be dangerous when not used properly, but most workers perform daily duties uninjured. That’s because they’re aware of dangers associated with equipment operation, and they take steps to mitigate potential accidents. These astute operators and helpers truly appreciate the importance of heavy equipment safety which is why they constantly do inspections to to replace the faulty yanmar engines parts and caterpillar transmission parts for new ones. They also rely on an Onsite Diesel Fuel Delivery service to make sure that right kind of fuel is used on these heavy equipment, be sure to have a diesel fuel delivery service in your contacts in case you run out while you’re alone on site.

Worker safety is important in the workplace, but people who work alone are in greater danger than those who work with a group. That’s why you have to be very careful. Do your job professionally, be alert, use common sense and let some know if there’s something out of the ordinary going on. When you’re in doubt, go back to the others—your safety is always your most important priority!