Many construction projects require dewatering in order to reach the areas that need repairs, and building a boat ramp is certainly no exception. Boat ramp construction carries with it the added risk of working literally in a large body of water, with just a small area dewatered and portioned out for the construction work. With this in mind, safety becomes an absolute priority for yourself and your coworkers.
[bctt tweet=”A boat ramp construction project implies having a large body of water nearby. How can you protect yourself and your worksite? Use these #BoatRamp construction safety guidelines.” username=”HSIServicesInc”]
Creating a Safe Work Environment
As you work to keep your final product up to a high standard of safety for future users, make sure to pay the same close attention to your employees and your own safety. Keep these essential safety tips in mind as you work:
- Maintain your equipment
- Train your employees thoroughly
- Use a quality dewatering method
- Keep the worksite clean and safe
1) Maintain Your Equipment
An unfortunately high percentage of workplace accidents are caused by faulty equipment. The best way to combat this problem is through simple equipment maintenance. Keep an eye on your machines and replace any faulty parts immediately. If your inflatable cofferdam springs a leak, have it patched as soon as possible. Keep everything in perfect working order to prevent an accident.
2) Train Your Employees Thoroughly
Of course, even brand new equipment isn’t any good if your employees don’t know how to safely use it. On top of that, any system updates or new additions to your equipment set confuse even experienced construction workers. What’s the best solution? A near-constant training plan. Anytime your plan or equipment set changes, keep your employees fully informed and knowledgeable on how to handle everything.
Pro Tip: Even if nothing has changed, have your employees periodically take a test to demonstrate they still know how to handle all your construction equipment. Forgetting a critical piece of knowledge could lead to disaster.
3) Use a Quality Dewatering Method
Building a boat ramp requires a significant amount of dewatering to be done before work can truly begin. To both speed the process along and ensure your crew’s safety once the water has been removed, use a high-quality dewatering method such as the Aqua-Barrier. Drain the water from your worksite and use an inflatable tube to hold it all back!
4) Keep the Worksite Clean and Safe
Finally, keep the work site clear of debris. Left unattended, trash and other hazardous substances can prove to be tripping hazards or, worse, damaging to your sensitive construction equipment. You can avoid this hazard by making sure the construction site is clear at the end of every shift and making sure any and all debris is removed quickly.
Promote Safety During Your Construction Projects
Building a boat ramp already comes with a long list of important factors to consider, including the types and sizes of boats that will use the ramp, their turning radius, the water depth, and much more. Of course, the safety of the users is paramount. But long before the ramp is complete, make sure to give consideration to keeping yourself and your construction crew safe during the building process.
Connect with us to learn more about boat ramp construction safety and workplace safety in general for your future projects.
