Why is Site Safety important?
Health and Safety in the workplace.
Health and safety is one of the most important concepts to consider before any project is undertaken. Ensuring that every aspect of health and safety has been considered before progressing with a project could save the lives of site workers and prevent injuries to vehicle operators and pedestrians alike. A serious workplace injury or death changes lives forever- for families, friends, communities, co-workers and business owners too.
In 2016 there were 46 worker and non- worker fatalities in Ireland across all economic sectors. In 2015 there were 56 fatalities. While the number has decreased, it needs to be improved again and again until it is 0. According to the HSA statistics report there was 9 fatal injuries in the construction sector in Ireland in 2016 and a total of 69 fatal injuries between 2009 and 2016. These statistics make the construction sector the second most dangerous in Ireland, with the agriculture sector having the highest number at 20 in 2016 and 158 between 2009 and 2016. The fishing industry had 4 fatalities in 2016 and the manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and administrative and support-services activities had each 2 fatalities in the same year. Therefore, health and safety remains a crucial learning point for all economic sectors in Ireland. (http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Corporate/HSA_Stats_Report_2016.pdf)
The different industrial vehicles and pedestrian workers that are in close proximity on site is often the main safety concern in the construction industry. Accidental collisions between vehicles and people remain one of the most prominent reasons of work fatalities on site in the construction, manufacturing and facilities industries. ZoneSafe Proximity Warning & Alert Systems have been designed to help stop these accidents by separating the vehicle and the pedestrian and improve safety and awareness for both vehicles and pedestrian workers. It creates a detection zone around the vehicle to notify the driver when a pedestrian has become too close and help prevent a collision.
Fall from height remains the highest accident trigger for worker and non-worker fatalities with 14.3% of fatalities in 2015 being a result of this. Misusing or lack of use of height safety equipment is still dominating the economic sector, but is the risk really worth it? The Tractel height safety equipment have been invented to help minimise this risk and comes in all shapes and sizes to help improve comfort and accessibility for the user.
The increase in knowledge and equipment in site safety and the change in health and safety regulations and requirements around this area have helped to decrease the number of fatalities across all economic sectors in Ireland, however, this can still be improved. At Prolift Safety we offer a large range of safety equipment including the ZoneSafe Proximity Warning & Alert System, the tractel height safety range and the ladders and access products. We also carry out inspections, tests and repairs on our products to help ensure safety on site for workers.
If you want to try reduce the risks and hazards on sites and improve site safety for workers and businesses then please contact us to see how our products can help you do this. You can reach us on 01-4584836 or by email at sales@prolift.ie.