There is no doubt that first aid training affects the occupational health, safety, and risks of Australian workers in the building and construction industry.
The Building and Construction Industry is one, if not the most hazardous, work environment in Australia. Dealing with heavy machinery and equipment and working in remote and isolated locations implies a high risk to all employees.
Over recent years, there have been huge improvements in reducing the rates of injuries to construction workers. Despite the effort, building and construction remain a high-risk industry and accounts for a high percentage of fatal injuries every year.
For these reasons, builders, scaffolders, surveyors, and many more individuals and organisations within the construction industry are turning their heads to first aid training for Construction health and safety.
First Aid Training has a positive preventative effect in workplace management and could complement the traditional occupational health and safety program. It appears that workers trained in first aid are much more motivated to avoid occupational injuries and illnesses and improve their risk control behaviour. It is recommended that Provide First Aid training should apply to all workers rather than limiting to small numbers of designated workplace first aiders.
In this blog, we will point out the main reasons why you or your construction company should invest in construction safety.
Prevent the Fatal Four
There are four fatal risks in the construction industry: Falling from a height, being struck by an object, electrocution, and getting crushed or caught in heavy equipment and machinery. These fatal four were responsible for a high percentage of fatalities, reaching up to 57.7 per cent every year. These four are even more evident on sites with fewer workers or those who work alone.
First Aid Training helps the worker become more conscious of the safety in their surrounding, making it easier to spot hazards that may cause injuries.
Proper Use of Equipment
It is not enough to rely on PPE (personal protective equipment) to keep the construction workers safe. Without proper knowledge of how to use heavy machinery and equipment, there is a huge possibility that injuries are still bound to happen.
Invest in training where workers will get the full list on using workplace equipment in its maximum safe capacity. No one wants to have their workers get caught under a heavy object or lose their consciousness due to a lack of safety knowledge.
Minimise Response Times
Whether we like it or not, there are times where workplace injuries are still bound to happen. We can have an emergency response system in place to reduce the response time when a worker needs help. Many Australian construction companies now employ proper safety procedures and protocols to ensure all types of emergencies can be responded to promptly.
The best way to promote fast response times in a construction emergency is through regular check-ins and first aid training.
Construction sites are associated with the most dangerous jobs in the world, but by extending your knowledge in first aid health and safety, you can make construction work less risky. Sign up in our first aid course for the construction industry to learn more about how to prevent and handle accidents in the workplace.
First Aid Course for Construction Workers
Our Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry (CPCCWHS1001) course is designed for people who want to work on any construction site in Australia. A worker is required to present a White Card accreditation from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) before being eligible for the job. Having a White Card on hand means you have the awareness and knowledge of Australia’s health and safety requirements to work safely and prevent harm to yourself and others.
To know more about the course, please visit firstaidpro.com.au or get in touch with us.
