Insightz

4 Ways Construction Temporary Fencing Saves Lives

One out of every five work-related accidents—and 20% of workplace fatalities—happen on construction sites. That’s not surprising when you consider the nature of construction work. Crew members may forget safety equipment, falls can be common, and heavy equipment abounds on jobsites. Construction safety is a top priority for jobsite managers.

As any jobsite manager knows, accidents are emotionally devastating as well as financially costly. As you seek to protect the safety of your workers, temporary fencing is a vital tool. Here are four ways construction temporary fencing can add to the safety of your jobsite and protect crew members from unnecessary risks.

Section off electrocution risks

Electrocutions are among the top four most deadly problems on construction sites. Out of 971 total construction-related deaths in 2017 (the most recent data available), 7%, were due to electrocution. While crew members often need access to electrical equipment and tools, not everyone needs unrestricted access.

To protect all crew members, it’s a good idea to add temporary fencing around any electrical elements—even your generator. Even if it seems like too much, it’s better to have too much protection than too little. Also consider temporary fencing around overhead power line equipment or underground electrical lines. This adds an additional level of safety around live wires and electrical units.

Fence around fall hazards

The vast majority of construction site deaths are due to falls. Out of the 971 deaths mentioned previously, a total of 781, or 39.2%, were due to falls. Proper use of safety equipment is the first line of defense when preventing falls, but construction temporary fencing also helps. And perimeter protection is especially important, because it keeps construction workers and equipment operators away from dangerous edges. Keep in mind some ledges may not be fully visible, especially for equipment operators, so you’ll need some kind of fencing to indicate perimeters and prevent heavy equipment or crew members from tumbling over ledges.

Fencing around trenches

“Caught in between” accidents include injuries or deaths that happen when workers are crushed under collapsing structures, in between equipment, or under equipment or supplies placed in a trench. These accounted for 50, or 5.1%, of fatal accidents. In addition to proper safety measures, you can reduce the risk of these accidents by putting fences around trenches. This will keep crew members from entering a trench or falling in, where they are at risk for getting caught in between the trench and equipment. Any trench or other excavated area five feet or deeper is a risk, so analyze the work area and use temporary fencing appropriately. We developed a fencing tool to help you determine how much temporary fencing you need around your site.

Large equipment dangers

“Struck by” accidents are the last of the most dangerous accidents on construction sites. These account for 8.2% of the total number of accidents, and they occur when workers are struck by large equipment. Crew members can reduce personal risk by wearing bright vests or reflective clothing, but sometimes temporary fencing helps as well. Use fencing to section off areas where large equipment is used and include security gates to prevent non-essential crew members from inadvertently getting in the way of equipment. Taking this precaution can help reduce the risk of “struck by” injuries and fatalities.

Temporary fencing protects everyone

There’s more to protecting a jobsite than only protecting crew members. Overall perimeter protection with temporary fencing also keeps non-workers off the site. This protects the construction company from risks when curious onlookers access the site without permission. Keeping the public out removes the risk they’ll fall or be crushed while wandering the jobsite.

Construction sites are, by their nature, dangerous places. While it’s not possible to remove all potential risks, construction temporary fencing can reduce risks significantly. When used as part of an overall construction safety plan, temporary fencing is a wise investment and helps protect workers and the general public.

To find out more about your temporary fencing options, and to schedule temporary fencing for your construction job site, give us a call for a free quote. We’ve been helping construction companies bundle their temporary site services—from fencing to portable toilets to dumpsters, storage, and office trailers—since 2009. We’ve got your jobsite covered.