Using safety equipment that's appropriate, well maintained, and in good shape can keep minor accidents in home construction from turning into serious—and costly—injuries. The National Association of Home Builders and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration offer these safety tips for residential builders:
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Head Protection
- Make sure that your workers wear hard hats when overhead, falling, or flying hazards exist, or when there's a danger of electrical shock.
- Inspect hard hats routinely for dents, cracks, or deterioration.
- After a hard hat has taken a heavy blow or electrical shock, replace it even if you detect no visible damage.
- Maintain hard hats in good condition. Don't drill, clean with strong detergents or solvents, paint, or store hats in extreme temperatures.
Eye and Face
- Workers must wear safety glasses or face shields for welding, cutting, nailing (including pneumatic), or when working with concrete and/or harmful chemicals.
- Because eye and face protectors are designed for particular hazards, be sure to select the type that matches the danger.
- Replace poorly fitting or damaged safety glasses.
Foot
- Make sure that residential construction workers wear shoes or boots with slip-resistant and puncture-resistant soles to prevent slipping and puncture wounds.
- Require safety-toed shoes to prevent crushed toes when working with heavy rolling equipment or falling objects.
Hand
- High-quality gloves can prevent injury.
- Gloves should fit snugly.
- Glove gauntlets should be taped for working with fiberglass materials.
- Workers should always wear the right gloves for the job. For example, they'll need heavy-duty rubber gloves for concrete work and welding gloves for welding.
Fall Protection
- Use a safety harness system for fall protection.
- Use body belts only as positioning devices — not for fall protection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What types of hard hats protect against electrical hazards?
Hard hats rated for electrical protection (Class E or similar) are designed to reduce exposure to high-voltage electrical conductors; check manufacturer ratings before use.
When should safety glasses be replaced?
Replace safety glasses if they are scratched, cracked, or no longer fit properly, or immediately after an impact that could have compromised them.
Do all construction workers need steel-toed boots?
Workers exposed to heavy equipment, falling objects, or crushing hazards should wear safety-toed footwear; assess job tasks to determine the need.
Are gloves required for concrete work?
Yes; heavy-duty rubber gloves are recommended for concrete work to protect against chemical burns and skin irritation.
Can body belts be used for fall arrest?
No; body belts should be used only for positioning. Use a full safety harness system for fall arrest protection.