Construction is a critical, yet often dangerous, industry to work within. Even on the safest of job sites, the risk for injury exists— which is why it’s crucial to actively identify and manage potential hazards for employees and contractors.
While there’s no way to completely eliminate the risk of harm and injury, there are action steps we as a construction company can take to promote safety. Although there are certainly many more, we put together a list of four safety practices that should be commonplace on job sites today.
1. Hazard Management
Having a plan in place prior to your project’s start date can greatly minimize your chances of injury on the job, especially for small and midsize companies. Planning for hazards can be as simple as discussing hearing protection, material handling, and providing protective equipment for hazardous materials. It’s essential contractors use their knowledge and experience to effectively plan for hazards in advance.
With planning comes a necessary degree of awareness. For example, suppose you are working in an older building, it’s important to understand what hazardous materials (such as lead-based paint) may exist on the property— and then create a plan to safely remove these hazardous materials.
2. Utilize Online Resources
The Internet can be an extremely helpful resource for hazard management, and provide valuable insight, preparation steps, and safety protocols for any job site. Construction Business Owner provided a list of online resources, which include:
When it comes to safety, preparation is key— and your first step could be as simple as doing some research and utilizing online safety tools.
3. Communicate Safety Protocol and Expectations
It is crucial to communicate the safety goals, parameters, and protocol of your job site with your contractors upon starting your project. You should have clear health and safety guidelines your contractors understand from the very beginning. According to Construction Business Owner, a research study found “small firms reported that they want printed materials related to site-specific safety and health hazards, as well as toolbox training resources.” Providing training and mentorship with regards to safety is key to mitigate the risk of injury on the job.
There is no way to fully remove risk from a construction site. However, we as an industry can take steps to ensure our workers are safe and the project goes smoothly. By implementing these three safety practices (along with many others!) into your project planning on a consistent basis, you can ensure your contractors are well-prepared and safety is a top priority.
Concerned about worker safety on your job site? Curious about other ways you can work smarter? Let us know here.
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