How To Prevent Construction Site Accidents And What To Do If It Occurs.

Equipment breakdowns and accidents are stressful and aggravating, both for the operator, supervisor and the construction crew. Having an action plan will significantly reduce the incidence of serious work-related injuries and illness. It’ll help to save lives whilst protecting your property and avoiding further equipment damage – saving you time and money.

Construction site accidents are a huge risk to the project schedule, whether or not important machinery is affected. The loss of a single piece of equipment can bring the entire site to a standstill. And whilst you are left to deal with the consequences, establish the cause of a breakdown or accident, repair broken machinery or organise replacements, the clock keeps running.

If you’re overseeing a small commercial construction site, it only takes one malfunctioning excavator to bring the entire project to a halt. Whilst you’re calling a mechanic to troubleshoot and find the source of the issue, your crew’s hands are bound. And so they sit around and wait, which further delays the schedule.

The question is: What do you do when an incident occurs on your site – even though you’ve taken all the precautions? And what do you need to consider when creating an action plan for construction site accidents and machinery malfunctions?

The most common construction equipment accidents

Firstly, you need to know where the dangers lie. Construction sites are busy workplaces, with tradies coming and going and heavy machinery being used. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the most common reasons for construction site accidents involve:

• Hazardous or unsafe equipment
• Broken or faulty equipment
• Lack of safety equipment

28 percent of fatal construction accidents in Australia are caused by falls from great heights, followed by:

• Vehicle collisions
• Electrocutions
• Being hit by a moving object
• Being hit by a falling object
• Being trapped in or between equipment

It becomes quite obvious that many of these incidents could have been prevented with the correct measurements in place. The chance of equipment breakdowns will never be zero, just as humans will never be perfect. But, the likelihood of mishaps occurring can be reduced and their effects minimised if you are prepared.

• Make sure your company is equipped with a preventative maintenance program and an effective troubleshooting system.
• Of course, once measures are put into place, your team will need to be briefed about the different safety and preventative measures, as well as how to react when an accident does occur, to ensure that everyone’s on the same page.

What to do in the event of an accident

*Disclaimer: This article offers general advice only. Please ensure you follow your company’s WH&E protocols or consult certified WH&E advisors in the event of an incident or worksite accident.

If a crew member has been injured, it’s important to act fast and stay clear-headed. Make sure that every builder and construction worker on your site has been briefed and knows what to do if they themselves or one of their work mates have been in a construction site accident (no matter how insignificant it may seem at first):

• Get medical help: First things first: If there has been an incident, make sure that everyone is safe. In the event of a medical emergency call 000 and give first aid if it is safe to do so. Only when everyone involved in the accident is safe, proceed with the next steps.
• Inform the site supervisor: Never disturb the site of an incident and don’t touch or move anything (unless to give first aid). Inform the site supervisor of the incident.
• Report and file an incident report: After being made aware of an incident, the supervisor will notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland or the Electrical Safety Office. All business owners and employers are legally required to ensure the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland or the Electrical Safety Office is notified of an incident.

How to notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

The Work Health and Safety Act mandates that “all accidents resulting in serious injury, death, or a dangerous incident must be reported to a regulator immediately”. It also states that it is “unlawful to disturb the accident site prior to the arrival of an inspector”. You can confirm if an incident is notifiable here.

You can notify authorities of an incident by calling them on 1300 362 128 or emailing them a completed incident notification form to whsq.aaa@oir.qld.gov.au. If you call to report an incident, a written notification isn’t required.

What happens to equipment in case of accidents and malfunctions?

If construction equipment has been involved in an accident or isn’t working the way it’s supposed to, turn it off immediately. Don’t try to fix it yourself – particularly if it’s dry-hire and you do not own the equipment. If larger machinery rolls, which is luckily a rarity, you should first prioritise shutting down the equipment and calling Ryno Hire as soon as possible.

With the assistance of the Ryno Hire team, it’s often a lot cheaper to pay for a call-out fee, than to attempt fixing any damage to the equipment yourself. Ryno Hire’s team is made up of professionals who are trained in handling these situations when they arise. Some incidents that seem insignificant at first, have the potential to cause real harm. As part of the hire agreement, you must call the Ryno Hire team first to let the experts take care of it.

Available for extended hours, Ryno Hire service and repairs are available to troubleshoot any machinery malfunctions. If you need us, we’re right here for you. Just give us a call on 07 3353 2230.

How to prevent construction equipment damage

Of course, prevention is better than cure. Preventing incidents from happening should always be your primary goal. When it comes to machinery, a little wear and tear is completely normal and with regular servicing and repairs, many of the above-mentioned incidents may just be preventable.

Here’s what you can do to make your construction site a safer place for everyone on your team:

Operate equipment within intended limits

Never ever push equipment past its limits. It greatly increases the risk for injuries and the chances of seriously damaging the machinery. Make sure that every piece of equipment is suited for the task at hand, and that the machinery is always well maintained.

Don’t act without giving careful thought

Incidents occur when safety guidelines are ignored. Being aware of hazards and risks is one of the best ways to prevent injuries on construction sites. Even if that means getting a second opinion on how to use the equipment correctly or having a spotter to prevent equipment damage and accidents.

Involve trained personnel

Untrained personnel is one of the greatest safety risks. Safety training should therefore be taken seriously and undertaken routinely. If a team member is not trained for a specific piece of equipment or does not feel confident enough in its use, they need to feel comfortable talking to a supervisor. When you dry hire from Ryno Hire, we give a comprehensive breakdown of the machinery to help you operate it safely. If you’re unsure about anything at all, do not hesitate to give us a call on 07 3353 2230.

Wrapping it up

We truly hope this article will help you reduce the likelihood of construction site accidents and machinery malfunctions and that you feel better equipped to deal with them, should they occur.

We know that it’s impossible to completely prevent accidents from happening, but with the attitude and safety guidelines in place, your construction site can become a safer place for everyone.

Should you have any questions or concerns, or would like to know more about our dry-hire or service and repair solutions, please feel free to contact us online, or give us a call on 07 3353 2230.