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How to Prevent Deadly Construction Accidents

Most accidents that happen in construction sites are avoidable.

Updated on

March 23, 2020

Construction site accident — Give workers proper protective gear such as gloves and hard hats. PHOTO | FILE

The construction is one of the industries that have the highest number of workplace injuries.

These accidents include electrocution, falls from roofs, injuries caused by falling debris, explosions, and fire-related accidents, among others.

What causes accidents?

Construction accidents in Kenya are caused by many factors among them the collapse of buildings under construction, falling debris, and exposure to high voltage wires, workers’ failure to use protective gear.

Other causes include falls from ladders, faulty equipment, explosions, lack of proper worker training and carelessness when using heavy equipment such as cranes and forklifts.

Most accidents that happen in construction sites could have been avoided if the general contractor and all subcontractors had a moral and economic commitment to create a safe construction site.

To prevent construction accidents, developers must do the following:

1.) Use the right quality and quantity of materials for their projects. Study shows that 95 per cent of buildings that collapse are built using sub-standard building materials.

2.) Hire employees (including architects and engineers) who have a record of being careful in observing construction safety policy.

3.) Give workers proper protective gear such as gloves and hard hats as well as supply well-equipped First Aid kits.

4.) Ensure that all workers are professionally trained particularly those operating machinery.

5.) Ensure that all construction equipment is well maintained and serviced.

6.) Formulate and enforce site safety measures, such as protective gear and proper use of heavy equipment.