Here Are The Red Flags To Look Out For On A Construction Site

The health and safety of workers is of the utmost importance in any industry — but in construction it’s even more important.

Dangerous machinery and demanding timelines are just two of the many occupational hazards that come from working on a construction site — but that doesn’t mean that sites themselves can’t be safe places to work.

So, how can you know if a construction site is safe or not?

1. A Rushed Or Unrealistic Schedule

While it’s understandable to want a job done as quickly as possible, a rushed or unrealistic construction schedule can land you in all kinds of trouble. But not only is a hectic construction schedule going to be stressful for everyone involved, it also makes the work that’s being carried out all that more dangerous.

As we all know, having to rush makes it more likely that workers take shortcuts to hit their deadlines — and not doing tasks properly will increase the risk of injury and accident. 

This means that being in a hurry will likely result in accidents involving yourself or co-workers; not to mention probably having to go back and re-do tasks you thought were already done. 

2. Frequent Staff Turnover

Stranger danger! If it looks as though new workers are regularly turning up on a construction site, this could be a sign that there are workers around who aren’t sufficiently trained to carry out the delegated construction work safely.

It’s imperative for everyone to be trained properly in order for construction to be carried out safely, so if you’re seeing a high turnover of workers this might be a red flag that you’re in an unsafe working environment.

3. Faulty or Poorly Maintained Equipment

As a worker on a construction site, it’s super important that the tools and equipment that you’re using are properly maintained and functional. It goes without saying, outdated tools and machinery that are not up to scratch will increase your risk of accident and injury. 

When starting a new construction job, it’s important to check that all machines and tools are being checked and serviced regularly.

Also, be aware of any damage or defects that could mess with equipment safety, and report any safety hazards to management. 

4. Drugs And Alcohol 

Construction workers carrying out duties while under the influence is sadly a massive problem in Australia, with a 2020 study finding that one in six male workers had come across a colleague affected by alcohol while on the job. 

If you cross paths with a co-worker who you think might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, this is a clear red flag that you’re working somewhere that isn’t safe; not only would that worker be putting themselves at a greater risk of injury or accident, they’re putting you at risk of the same. 

Sydney-based Dragon Labour Hire is dedicated to transforming the construction industry, in ways that include prioritising worker safety on sites. 

Their Dragon Worker App not only helps workers find employment, but it also gives them access to vital industry knowledge – including ways to stay safe on the job. And through the Dragon App, employers can rate workers on different skills, like their knowledge of site safety.

So, while workers themselves need to keep a sharp eye out for potential red flags on any given construction site, organisations like Dragon remain dedicated to keeping all construction workers as safe as possible.

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Download Dragon Worker now www.thedragongroup.com.au/dragon-worker