Key trades and Hazards

Main trades that you will meet on-site

Plumber

Role. The role of a plumber is vital in any home or building. ... A plumber's job typically involves installing water filters, hot water systems, cold water, heating, toilets, drainage, shower systems and also maintaining and repairing them as and when required.

Electrician

Installation electricians who test and install wiring systems (lighting, security, fire) and equipment. They sometimes follow architects drawings and either work in homes or on buildings sites. Maintenance electricians who test and maintain electrical equipment and often work in commerce or heavy industry.

Carpenter

Depending on where you work, your day-to-day tasks may include:

discussing plans and following instructions
cutting and shaping timber for floorboards, doors, skirting boards and window frames
making and fitting wooden structures like staircases, door frames, roof timbers and partition walls
making and assembling fitted and free-standing furniture
installing kitchens, cupboards and shelving
building temporary wooden supports to hold setting concrete in place (shuttering)
making and fitting interiors in shops, bars, restaurants, offices and public buildings
constructing stage sets for theatre, film and TV productions

Bricklayer

Bricklayers build and repair chimney stacks, walls, tunnel linings, and decorative work like archways. They are responsible for using blocks, including bricks, and mortar to set out buildings and in line with approved construction plans. ... The responsibility of a bricklayer is to construct the first shell of a building.

Plasterer

The main role of a plasterer is to paste layers of plaster onto walls, floors and ceilings. Plastering serves a protective function, in that it makes buildings more robust, and an aesthetic function. ... They repair or restore existing plaster-work and plaster newly erected walls.

Hazards

Electrical

Most electricity-related injuries are typically the result of:

Poorly installed and/or maintained electrical equipment.
Faulty wiring.
Overloaded, overheated, or shorted outlets.
The use of flexible leads and extension cables that are prone to damage.
Using equipment that is believed to be dead but is live.
Incorrect use of replacement fuses.
Using electrical equipment near a source of water or with wet hands.

Burns

When carrying out soldering or welding tasks, there is an obvious risk of burns from the direct flame however; the risk of burning oneself from the material and components is still very high. To reduce and avoid this risk correct PPE must be worn along with signs for others located around the work area. Permits for 'hot works' are usually required to carry out this activity, which outline the periods of time soldering/welding is permitted.

You can also receive burns from electric shocks and some chemicals.

Cuts and abrasions

Unfortunately minor cuts and scrapes are a part of everyday life. While these are more common around the home, they do from time to time happen in the workplace. If a wound is deep, has something embedded in it or bleeds heavily you should seek immediate medical attention. Most businesses have a policy regarding accidents in the workplace.

By wearing the correct PPE and workwear this can be reduced

Dust Inhalation

The air in many workplaces contains hazardous substances in the form of dusts, fumes, mists, gases and vapours. These substances can be chemical or biological agents, for example, animal allergens, fungal spores and bacteria. When workers inhale them, they can harm the lungs and other parts of the airways. In some cases, hazardous agents move through the lungs to other parts of the body, harming other organs.

It is therefore very important that the correct breathing apparatus is used; such as a dust mask, respirator for the required situation.

Working at heights

Good training is essential for everyone who uses access equipment, with regular updates on any new equipment.

Work at height means work in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. You are working at height if you:

work above ground/floor level
could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface or
could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or a hole in the ground

Lifting and carrying

Manual handling can cause serious, long-term disabling musculo-skeletal injuries. Heavy blocks, kerbs, baths and boilers present a particularly high risk.

Things to consider;

mechanising the task
use of lifting aids
assessment of the task, individual, load and environment
training requirements
specification of lighter components

Solvents and vapours

Solvents are common on sites in paint thinners, glues and other items. It is essential to read and follow the manufacturers instructions to use and store the materials safely. Different solvents can affect your health in different ways. Some of the short-term effects are irritation of the eyes, lungs and skin, headaches, nausea, dizziness or light-headedness. Correct PPE should be worn at all times and when and where possible use should be limited and carried out in a well ventilated area or outside.

Asbestos

Where can you find asbestos

Noise and vibration

Power tools are used regularly within construction, often for periods of time that are too long. They vibrate and are noisy, ideally they should only be used for short periods of time, if the power tool is continually used for extended periods of time, it can lead to 'white finger' damage to the nerves/vessels in the fingers. Correct training and correct use of PPE is advisable to reduce the risk of injury, to limbs and ears.

PPE (personal protective equipment)

PPE is supplied to you by your employer however; it is your responsibility to report any faults or defects to them for replacements. They are designed to protect you from common hazards on site.

Slips, trips and falls

These can be avoided if on site you keep a tidy workplace and have an awareness of things going on around you and an awareness of how your actions could affect others around you.

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