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    Tips for tradies' workplace safety

    Published on 18 January 2019, Friday, 5:51 AM
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    Day in and day out, all year round and in a variety of weather conditions, tradies are responsible for the workplace safety of themselves and others as much as they hold an obligation to get the job done in a timely manner.

    As you are no doubt well aware, making sure everyone on the site faces as little danger as possible is of paramount concern - not only to the project manager but to every individual worker.

    There is an inherent risk associated with working on building sites or any location where factors such as electricity, heavy machinery, loose tools, sharp objects, uneven terrain or scaffolding come into play.

    So what can a good tradie do to ensure they have all bases covered when it comes to safe work practices?

    Here are some tips that might be worth thinking about on your next project.

    The site is always 'live'

    It is easy to assume that if you or workmates nearby are not directly involved with a task at a particular time, then no safety risks exist.

    But a work site is always 'live' from the moment the first stages of construction begin right up until the day you pack up the utes for the final time and drive away after a job well done.

    Even if you arrive early in the morning and the area appears to be quiet, never assume that you are the only person around until you have checked. A carelessly thrown brick, for example, could do serious damage to an unsuspecting colleague.

    Secure everything, every time

    With loose materials and building rubbish such as scrap metal or wooden planks, it is essential to secure them to the ground or lock them away each evening before heading home.

    You never know what overnight conditions are going to be like - and with the possibility of strong winds or thunderstorms, leaving dangerous items unattended and unfastened is potentially hazardous.

    Something as simple as leaving a hammer too close to an edge might spell disaster if it is accidentally kicked off the next morning.

    Put your name on it

    It is a good idea to engrave all of your tools with personal details or record their serial numbers in order to know what is yours and exactly what you are responsible for should an incident occur.

    This is also a handy way to keep track of your best equipment on a busy site with truckloads of stray tools.

    Communication is the key

    Above all, communicating effectively with your workmates is an important habit to get into. If you let people know what you are doing and when you are doing it with a clear, loud voice, a number of potential accidents can be avoided.

    This article brought to you by Kennards - specialists in tools, scaffolding and site equipment.

    Nathan Mills portrait image
    Nathan Mills
    Nathan is a seasoned Kennards Hire team member passionate about empowering DIYers in their projects. He loves everything DIY and brings together years of equipment and project experience to help customers get the right tools for their next job.