Construction Safety: Protecting Workers When They Need it Most

In 2021, the construction industry had the largest number of preventable fatal injuries, according to the National Safety Council. Construction workers face many workplace hazards on a daily basis, and ensuring safety is vital to prevent injuries and even fatalities. At its core, workplace safety starts with building a culture of safety among both employees and construction companies to help prevent injuries, as well as save lives, time and money. However, not all risks can be completely eliminated, so leaders must prevent injury and loss by understanding the specific hazards of various jobsites and providing the proper personal protective equipment for worker tasks.

Working with sharp objects, heavy machinery or chemicals exposes workers’ hands to serious dangers that can cause permanent damage. There are many options available to help keep construction workers safe when handling all types of surfaces, including the Honeywell CoreShield^™ and Honeywell Perfect Fit glove lines. They are specifically designed to protect workers from cuts, abrasions, lacerations, and punctures while working around sharp and rough materials.

Falls from height are the most common cause of construction fatalities, making up more than a third of jobsite fatalities in the industry. OSHA requires that fall protection – often a combination of a harness, lanyard or self-retracting lifeline – be provided to anyone working 6 feet or higher in the construction industry. The Miller Turbolite^™ personal fall limiter helps prevent tripping hazards while instantly arresting a free fall within inches. Pair that with the ergonomic Miller H500 Harness that provides all-day comfort and freedom of movement. Construction workers can be exposed to dropped objects, impacts and bumps to the head. Ensuring proper head protection is a necessary component to keeping workers safe on the job. The Honeywell North Zone^™ N10 hard hat was designed with multiple adjustment points, so users can customize the fit to suit their own preferences. This means workers will be comfortable wearing it for an entire shift, and it allows for suspension height adjustment, because one size does not always fit all.

Flying debris, dust and large particles can harm construction workers’ eyes if proper safety eyewear isn’t worn. Uvex Avatar^™ safety eyewear offers advanced built-in HydroShield^™ Anti-Fog Coatings to keep lenses consistently fog-free and has built-in anti-scratch protection, which can help the lenses last longer, even if they’re not properly cleaned every time. They also come with an adjustable and flexible ratchet temple that has a 15-degree adjustment range to ensure they stay in place all day.

By understanding workplace risks and hazards, supplying cutting-edge PPE, and, above all else, instilling a culture of safety at all levels of organization, teams on construction worksites can be more protected. For more than a century, Honeywell has been protecting workers with head-to-toe safety offerings, rooted in our industry experience and relentless drive to innovate. Today, our safety solutions protect the future of 500 million workers.