Construction contractors that work on building new structures face some amount of risk every work day. When they climb multiple stories to build, they are at risk of falling. When they do work on local roads, they are at risk of road accidents. Even when they are digging deep into the earth?s crust, they are at risk. Fortunately, with greater attention to contractor safety and improved safety supplies, that risk has reduced significantly.
Temporary roads and bridges
Think about the roads that you drive on every day. When local contractors have to renovate or repair those roads, they usually navigate traffic through another nearby road. This is not always possible, however. There are times when the traffic cannot be moved or there is simply not another road or bridge to reroute the traffic to. Not only does this make it more difficult for local residents to get from one location to another, but it also complicates the worker’s tasks. In these cases, a sturdy temporary bridge rental or temporary road will be set up. Sometimes, it will be limited to workers use and others, both local residents and workers will use it.
Shoring safety equipment
Shoring equipment is primarily used to dig into the earth. There are many reasons that a contractor might need to dig into the earth?s crust layers. When building a bridge, for example, it is built to get people across the body of water. In order for the bridge to be sturdy and durable, it needs to be posted into the ground, which is usually beneath many tons of water. Currently, there are 600,000 bridges in the United States. In addition to the build of new bridges, contractors must also renovate and repair these bridges from time to time, a process that requires important safety trench shoring equipment, like trench boxes.
Safety trench boxes
Build conditions are not always predictable when that build requires someone to go thousands of feet into the ocean floors. There are many factors that can affect the safety of the dig. Trench boxes are often used to safely trench into the layers. Trenches that are 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require an additional protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Trenches that are 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater require that the protective system is designed by a registered professional engineer or that it is based on tabulated data prepared by a registered professional engineer.
Other important safety trench box requirements depend on the types of shoring. For example, OSHA requires safe access and egress to all excavations, including ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of exit for employees working in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. These devices must be located within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of all workers. Any job site that does not follow these regulations can be at risk of high fines or even the possibility of the entire project being shut down, and the contract given to another business.
Contractors take on a lot of risks when they accept the position to improve or build upon the countries existing structures. The renovation and upgrade of these buildings are extremely important. OSHA has set many minimal standards when it comes to safety. These safety regulations ensure that all workers are practicing the safest habits, while they also have access to the safest of shoring equipment.
