The Right Materials

Two safety precautions to take when building a house's foundation

17 January 2018 by Frank Lynch

Foundation work of any kind can be quite dangerous. Here are two safety precautions construction workers should take when building this part of a house.

Take steps to prevent people and machinery from falling into the trench

The foundation-building process usually begins with the digging of a trench. Trenches can be quite deep and the soil around their perimeters can be very unstable (particularly during wet weather).

Because of this, there is a risk that construction workers who are working close to the edges of the trench could slip, fall into this opening and sustain serious injuries. There is also a chance that any machinery that is used for the foundation work (such as excavators and bulldozers, for example), could tip over into the trench if their operators drive too close to the edge.

As such, it is important for the people involved in this process to take certain precautions to prevent these types of incidents from occurring.

They should, for example, install a safety barrier around the perimeters of the trench; this will prevent construction workers who are walking by it from falling in if they lose their balance.

Additionally, anyone who has been tasked with operating a piece of heavy construction equipment close to the trench should make sure that there is someone on the ground nearby who can guide them through their work process and alert them if they accidentally move the machinery too close to the edges of the trench.

Wear protective clothing when pouring the concrete

The foundation of a house is normally made from concrete. The process of pouring this substance into the trench can be quite dangerous, as it can sometimes splatter as it emerges from the concrete pump.

If a construction worker is not wearing the appropriate safety gear when the foundation is being laid, some of the concrete could end up landing on their unprotected skin. Because concrete is extremely alkaline, this could result in the worker being left with severe second or third-degree burns.

Additionally, because concrete often contains chromium, which causes contact dermatitis in some people, exposure to this substance could also leave them with a very painful, itchy red rash.

Given this, it is extremely important for those who will be present during the concrete pouring process to ensure that they wear protective clothing that covers as much of their skin as possible. At the very minimum, they should put on thick rubber boots and gloves, safety goggles, a long-sleeved waterproof top and a pair of waterproof trousers.

Share  

Search