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Working on a construction site
can be challenging if you’re not prepared and protected – even in the best
circumstances. At night, the challenges and potential dangers multiply, mostly
due to limited visibility – you must be able to see what you’re doing (and what
your colleagues and others around you are doing) and where you’re going. It’s
also crucial that coworkers, pedestrians, and drivers can see you. So take the proper precautions. According to Workzonesafety.org, some night-time construction dangers are bright
lights (and the glare they produce), drunk driving, reduced visibility for
motorists, among others. Here are some tips to help you stay safe during your
night shift.

Get a good night’s sleep

Working the night or overnight
shift can be extremely wearing on the mind and body, particularly if the
schedule is a change from what you’re used to. It can throw your circadian
rhythm – your internal “clock,” which regulates your sleep/wake cycle – out of
whack, causing fatigue, malaise, depression, and more. To help you stay awake
and alert, try to maintain a regular sleep schedule to ensure that you get eight
hours of sleep every day. Blackout curtains are a great way to keep your room
darkened to help you sleep, and sleep masks are another good option. A white
noise machine can work wonders to help calm you as you prepare for sleep, too.
And try not to drink too much caffeine in the hours before bedtime.

Use proper lighting

Be sure the area in which you’re
working is well-lit and that all tools, surfaces, and walkways are visible. Also,
make certain that the site is equipped with backup lighting and a generator in
case of a power outage, and be sure that there is a navigable escape route in
case of emergency.  According to Solight, the
different types of lighting that can be used are light towers, balloon
lighting, night lights, and high-mass lighting. Each one has a different
purpose that can help ensure you have full visibility on the site. For example,
high-mass lighting is a great temporary option to have on hand if you need
extra light. This type of lighting fulfills the OSHA requirement, so you can
have peace of mind that you are doing everything you can to make sure you are
safe on the job site.

Be visible

One of the easiest things you can
do to help keep yourself safe while working at night is to make yourself
visible to others. According to DB Krieg, more
than half of the fatalities caused by run-overs or back-overs involved
construction vehicles. Do you know why this happens? It’s because of low visibility.
Taking the time to ensure that you have the proper gear is important so both
you and your work area can be seen by everyone. Clothing options for visibility
at night include retroreflective vests, pants, and jackets. The light reflects off of the material, so
you are easy to spot, which decreases the hazard level on the job site. In
addition, signs and markings should be reflective, too, so they are more
visible to oncoming traffic. You do not want to be included in a statistic
because you forgot to put on your vest.

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