Construction is an activity that involves various occupational hazards that can affect the health and safety of workers. The main types of occupational hazards in construction include physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards. It is important that workers are informed about these risks and take preventive measures to ensure their health and safety at work. At Altamira Constructora, this is a fundamental aspect and for this reason we have our own occupational risk prevention department, which is closely supported by the external prevention service we also have, which evaluates risks and safety plans. Among the different types of risks that can occur in construction work, we can find:
- Falls: these can occur at different heights (such as roofs or decks) or at the same level (tripping, slipping).
- • Lack of order and cleanliness: having material lying around on the floor or a slippery surface because it has not been removed can lead to knocks or falls.
- Projection of particles: fragments or particles may be released from work material, machinery or tools.
- Electrical risk: electrical installations on construction sites are usually temporary (and in the open air) so special care must be taken with their maintenance.
- Knocks against objects and tools: these frequently occur in the lower and upper extremities.
- Entrapments: can occur with work machinery, as well as being run over by loading vehicles.
- Overexertion: this is one of the main risks in the sector and has both short- and long-term consequences. In construction work, loads are constantly being lifted, which can lead to acute or chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
The main function of the company’s Occupational Risk Prevention department is to ensure compliance with safety regulations on the company’s sites and in the company’s facilities. Its functions include regular safety visits to construction sites to apply the necessary corrections immediately and improve safety conditions at work, drawing up safety reports to monitor the status of each construction site, controlling the labour and safety documentation of subcontractors, drawing up internal safety regulations and providing training for workers and operators of subcontractors.
Preliminary advice before starting work on a construction site:
- Implement collective and individual protection measures.
- Continuously train workers.
- Inform employees about the risks inherent to each construction site.
- Check the condition of tools, cables and electrical connections before
- each working day.
- Coordinate the implementation of necessary measures by the person in charge of control decisions.
- Check the required signage before starting work or construction.
To prevent accidents on construction sites, it is important to have a Health and Safety plan that coordinates the different business activities. It is also important to have a good coordination of business activities and a Health and Safety study.
This is why Altamira has its own Prevention Service and an occupational risk prevention policy integrated into its daily activities. It is responsible for providing adequate and sufficient training and safety elements to its personnel on its sites, in accordance with legal regulations and the characteristics of the work, in an efficient manner.
