OSHA has certain standards concerning night construction, and they should be taken very seriously. Those rules are in place to keep every worker, as well as civilians around the site, safe from harm. But you can, and most definitely should, do more than just follow OSHA standards to stay safe while working at night. Not sure where to start? Here’s a refresher to help you out.
Light ’em up!
Lighting is everything, but portable construction lights aren’t the only ways to make yourself visible at night. Head lamps, reflective clothing, and flashlights are crucial to nighttime visibility. If you walk around a construction site, or anywhere for that matter, in dark or dull clothing at night, you’re putting yourself at risk for injury. It might not be the most stylish statement in the world, but it could very well mean the difference between a driver seeing you or not.
Maximize sleep
Although those lights may be bright, no amount of construction work lights will keep you awake if you haven’t gotten an adequate amount of sleep. When working at night, you should be maintaining a strict sleeping schedule, and sticking to it like glue. In addition, you should be drinking water frequently, and avoiding caffeine at night. This will help you stay focused during the night and sleep during the day. Even though you won’t be out in the sun, portable construction lights and hard work will sap your energy and hydration levels if left unchecked.
Familiarize yourself with the site
Nothing is more dangerous than not knowing the site that you’re working in. Even with temporary construction lighting, there could be places you’re not familiar with. It’s for this reason that you should make a point to visit the site during the day and walk around to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Not only that, but you should be aware of project-specific hazards and safe routes through the site once it’s been set up.
No matter what kind of work you’re doing, if it’s at night, extra precautions need to be taken. Portable construction lights can only do so much to keep you safe, so make sure you keep your wits about you and your flashlight close.