Follow These Safety Tips During Your Next Home Construction Project

Spring is here, and many of us have more time on our hands than we expected due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  The combination of the two means that you may begin home construction projects. 

At the Shannon Law Group, we’ve helped people suffering from devastating (and sometimes fatal) injuries from construction accidents over the years.  Their injuries were always preventable had the right people taken the right precautions.

Home Renovation Tips to Keep You Safe from OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified the top four causes of construction fatalities. These tips will prevent you or your family members from becoming the next statistic.

Here are some tips to keep you and your family members safe as you begin these home construction projects:

1. How to Prevent Falls
   • Wear and use personal fall arrest equipment.
   • Install and maintain perimeter protection.
   • Cover and secure floor openings and label floor opening covers.
   • Use ladders and scaffolds safely.
2. How to Prevent Struck-By Accidents
   • Never position yourself between moving and fixed objects.
   • Wear high-visibility clothes near equipment/vehicles.
3. How to Prevent Caught-In/Between Accidents
   • Never enter an unprotected trench or excavation 5 feet or deeper without an adequate protective system in place; some trenches under 5 feet deep may also need such a system.
   • Make sure the trench or excavation is protected either by sloping, shoring, benching or trench shield systems.
4. How to Prevent Electrocutions
   • Locate and identify utilities before starting work.
   • Look for overhead power lines when operating any equipment.
   • Maintain a safe distance away from power lines; learn the safe distance requirements.
   • Do not operate portable electric tools unless they are grounded or double insulated.
   • Use ground-fault circuit interrupters for protection.
   • Be alert to electrical hazards when working with ladders, scaffolds or other platforms.

As always, use caution when working on construction projects professionally, or at home. Risks are everywhere. The more you learn, the safer you will be.

Questions? Contact us today

If you have any questions about the above guidelines, contact us today. You can also call us if you were injured during a home renovation. You can reach us at (312) 578-9501 or on our website here.

Source: OSHA 3216-6N-06