In today’s business environment, safety-related costs can be the difference between reporting a profit or a loss. In fact, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplaces that establish safety and health management systems can reduce their injury and illness costs by 20 to 40 percent. An effective safety program can also improve productivity and increase employee morale on the road.

Personal protective equipment, or “PPE,” is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that can cause serious injuries. The typical construction worksite incorporates a wide range of activities including a number of potential safety hazards that require PPE every day. Simply stated, failing to use the prescribed equipment can put you in danger.

Construction sites are dangerous places to work. In fact, the injury rate for the construction trade is higher than the national average across all industries. Fortunately, when you have sufficient knowledge, preventing accidents is easier than you might think. Here are the four most common construction site hazards.