Starting Work
HOW DO I STAY SAFE?
All employers are covered by the Health And Safety At Work Act 1974 (HASAWA), which places certain duties on both employers and employees and must be complied with by law. These include:
- Providing and maintaining safe working environments and systems of work.
- Giving appropriate training.
- Providing any specialist clothing and equipment required.
- Ensuring that all safety equipment is fully and correctly used.
There is equipment that you use to protect yourself from injury, called Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and includes things like safety helmets (known as hard hats), safety boots or shoes, safety glasses or goggles, gloves, ear defenders, aprons, kneepads and overalls.
All construction sites will require you to wear a similar basic level of PPE, though specific circumstances will dictate the type of PPE worn. If in doubt, get advice from your supervisor or a colleague.
Hard hats must be worn whenever there is a risk of you either striking your head or being hit by falling objects.
Eye protection must be worn when performing tasks such as:
- drilling or chiselling masonry surfaces;
- grinding or using grinding equipment;
- driving nails into masonry;
- using cartridge operated fixing tools;
- drilling or chiselling metal;
- drilling any material which is above your head.
Ear protection should be worn when working close to noisy machinery or work operations. Failure to do so can result in permanent damage to your hearing.
Gloves should be worn:
- Whenever there is a risk to the hands from sharp objects or surfaces;
- Handling bulky objects to prevent splinters, cuts or abrasion;
- When working with corrosive or other chemical substances.
Other items:
When working involves long periods of kneeling, or having to take your weight on your elbows, you may be issued with specialist protectors.
Other items that you may use could include facemasks, safety harnesses or breathing apparatus.
Remember, accidents don't just happen. They are caused and are often the result of human failing rather than defective equipment. All items of PPE provided are for your protection must be worn and kept in good condition. Any defects in your PPE should be immediately brought to the attention of your supervisor.
Your full compliance with health and safety rules, especially when backed up with a little bit of common sense, will save either yourself or another person from having any accidents. Don't take risks.
