When you began work as a carpenter in Virginia, what training did you get? What about when you started your current job? Did you receive any health and safety training?
Safety training is essential to reduce the risk of workplace accidents. However, accidents can still happen. When working as a carpenter, these are some of the dangers you need to be aware of:
- Electricity: Buildings are full of hidden wires. Construction sites often have lots of power cables. If you work outside, rain and water could affect your electricity supply.
- Height: Working at height means you could fall. You do not need to fall far to injure yourself. Falling while holding power tools is even more dangerous.
- Hazardous substances and dust: Cutting or drilling produces a lot of dust. Dust, like the glues and solvents you use, can cause respiratory problems.
- Flying debris: Hammering nails and cutting things with power tools can result in flying debris. If debris hits you in your eye, it could blind you.
- Materials: Lifting and moving heavy materials could injure your back. It could cause strains or slipped discs or hernias.
- Tools: Your tools can cut you or bruise you. Using these tools day after day could lead to repetitive strain injuries.
- Working position: Crouching, kneeling, stretching and reaching can all strain your body.
Working as a carpenter does carry risk. But your employer should help you minimize those risks through proper training. Your employer should have workers’ compensation insurance to cover you if you do have an accident.
