Improving Construction and Work Site Safety with 6 Simple Steps

Construction operations are rarely safe or easy feats. Trenching, excavation and drilling complications and accidents are among some of the most life-threatening factors. This is usually due to the fact that construction site safety is one of the most overlooked things during a project. It goes without saying that in most workplaces, accidents are critical to a worker’s health and life and a nuisance for HR. With every new story regarding environmental disasters, earth-shattering explosions, and trapped laborers, construction sites become less and less appealing. Construction industry leaders have to strive to safeguard their employees for ethical and economical reasons! We’ve provided a few, effective ways in which businesses can reduce work-site accidents and promote construction safety. 

1) Awareness of Possible Hazards

A worker must have a full understanding of the possible hazards that may impede work or projects before setting foot on a worksite. There is nothing more dangerous than a worker who is unaware of the biggest dangers in their industry, and their reckless mistakes can put the safety and health of everyone else at risk. Knowing the perils at hand and sustaining a perpetual state of alertness is one of the best ways to prevent accidents and mishaps during construction. 

Furthermore, it is the manager’s job to make sure that every worker is fully aware of possible dangers. Managers should comprise a safety protocol and meet with employees and staff for regular meetings to go over regulations and rules. This can not only save workers any pain or risk but it can also eliminate the possibility for lawsuits and legal repercussions.

2) Proper Training and Credentials 

Although many workers tend to learn as they go, safety is one skill set that is best to be learned before working on a construction site. Businesses can be advised to train their new laborers on standard safety and security practices by investing in pamphlets, worksheets, training videos, and other sources of safety education. Although it may seem tedious, it can help prevent many accidents. Workers should be walking out of these training sessions with a full comprehension of how to conduct safety measures in the case of an emergency. 

3) Enhancing Communication Between Workers 

Encouraging direct discussion of the day’s goals and expectations can cut down on surprises that could cause any harm to workers. Construction firms would be wise to equip workers with devices, such as headsets and having their phones on them, which can allow for fast and efficient communication among team members if the need arises. Clear and concise communication can not only make projects go by faster but it can also help keep each person in the loop with what exactly is occurring when and where. 

4) Documentation of Construction Activity 

To further enforce construction site safety, it would be ideal to make sure you have proper documentation of everything that is to be done on the project site. There are some legal obligations construction companies must take care of primarily in order to initiate building and construction projects. Supervisors and contractors are expected to provide evidence of their certification well in advance of their employment on the job site. This is intended not only to prevent accidents due to improper training but to also protect the construction firm from legal action and public scrutiny. 

5) Utilizing Proper Equipment 

In order to mold a culture encompassed around construction site safety, managers must grant their workers the proper equipment and adequate work area for the job at hand. There will always be an opportunity to become injured when the wrong equipment is prevalent. To extend the safety of workers, it could be helpful to make sure that all machinery and material are well maintained. If equipment begins to lag or work less efficiently, this is a sign to take action and apply maintenance or look into replacing the tools. 

6) Supervising Projects at All Times 

In a perfect world, construction workers would fully understand the ramifications of inadequate safety precautions and thus act in a manner to ensure site-wide well-being; unfortunately, that’s just not always the case. It is essential to sustain trust between supervisors and workers, but it is even more important to have a supervisor who is willing and capable of enforcing safety standards with no exceptions or hesitation. Supervisors are expected to keep track of all employees throughout their day and guide those who may fail to commit proper procedures and duties. 

Taking Safety to the Next Level with Local Professionals

The staff at LB & Sons is more than aware of the dangers that could happen at any time during a project. Our professionals work diligently, but nonetheless, effectively, for a successful outcome. You can contact us today to learn more about how we can perform earthwork excavation, drilling, and more.