According to OSHA, between 2011 and 2017, there were 79 fatalities and over 3070 non-fatal injuries among gas and pipeline workers. And while pipeline construction workers are at a higher risk of accidents, the good news is most are preventable when proper construction safety tips are practiced.
Pipelines are essential to our world, carrying everything from water to natural gas for the modern home. Naturally, construction crews spend a good amount of time perfecting each pipeline to ensure it’s up to code and safe. It’s also important to make sure the construction crew stays safe during the job, especially if the pipe is partially underwater and the area requires dewatering.
Pipeline construction requires just as much care and effort for safety as any other job. Learn how to maintain a safe work environment here.
A Safe Construction Site
At a pipeline construction site, safety is a high priority. Work that requires dewatering can especially present a challenge. As you prepare to start work on a pipeline project, keep these safety tips in mind to protect yourself and your coworkers:
Company Culture of Safety
Above all, safety trickles down from the top. Leaders need to create a culture of safety and set it at top priority. Everyone from the newest recruit through the CEO needs to have a safety first mindset. Leaders need to constantly communicate the importance and need for safety and make sure safety measures are always being implemented.
Ongoing Safety Training
Ongoing pipeline construction safety training needs to be a regular part of your company’s safety culture. By holding ongoing training classes, safe habits can be reinforced and new safety techniques and procedures can be learned.
Personal Protective Equipment
Pipeline workers should always be wearing their personal protective equipment, such as heavy steel-toed boots, eye protection, gloves, hard hats, or whatever else is needed to keep workers safe from harm.
Safe Excavation Procedures
Pipeline workers need to practice safe excavation procedures. Make sure they call to verify all underground utilities are marked prior to digging and also supply them with the best tools for excavating. For example, if working in an area that requires dewatering, don’t waste time on cumbersome sandbags that can cause back pain, opt for an inflatable cofferdam that can be set up quicker and safer.
Heavy Equipment Safety
Operators who work with heavy equipment need to be properly trained. Make sure they read the operation and maintenance manuals for each piece of equipment they work on. Before getting on a machine, they should already know how to properly use and operate the tool.
Constant Awareness
Many times, injuries happen because people just aren’t paying attention. Avoid slips, falls, and other accidents by always being aware of your surroundings. If you see debris laying in a walking path, clear it out of the way to help others from being injured, too.
The best way to maintain a high standard of pipeline construction safety is simply to not take chances. Stick to the safety standards you’ve already been observing, and continue promoting safe practices and habits on the job. The fewer risks you take, the better. When your workers feel safe, they are more productive and overall output is of higher quality. Go beyond normal safety standards and keep these higher standards enforced. By following the above tips, you can help make your pipeline construction sites safe and lower (if not remove) incidents of injury and accidents.
We are ECG, we are safety first.
This field definitely needs some expert hands and skill. So, have you decided on what type of project you need? Make sure you research on this for a while before coming up with a decision.
We pride ourselves in providing Demolition, Abatement and Environmental Services you can depend on. (Concrete cutting, coring, green demolition, disinfection and sterilization cleaning services, asbestos abatement and more)
Contact us to get started on your next project, Call us: 562-438-7999.
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