Today, the construction sector employs about 12.3 million individuals in the US. It remains one of the most fast-paced industries, heavily depending on bulky equipment and machinery. Employees at a construction site need to work with tower cranes, trenchers, excavators, and bulldozers, making it a risky job.
As a contractor, it might be enticing to cut corners so as to cut down some costs. Though it should not be an expense to employees’ safety. In order to achieve this, you will need to implement some safety measures and strategies to keep your workers safe. Some of these strategies include:
1. Have Your Workers Wear the Right Gear
Wearing the right PPE can mean a great difference between long-term injuries and short-term injuries. So you must offer your workers the right PPE relative to the kind of projects being conducted.
The right PPE should include hi-vis jackets, knee pads, safety goggles, ear protection, and helmets. If the PPE kits are unfit or worn out, you should consider having them replaced.
2. Consider Toolbox Talks
Toolbox meetings or talks are informal ways of educating workers about safety. A construction toolbox meeting template focuses on a certain safety issue and is meant to raise workers’ awareness. It can as well help to remain compliant with OSHA for keeping your employees informed.
Unlike regular training sessions, toolbox meetings should be short enough so as to reinforce information and training on safety matters.
Toolbox meetings also occur at construction sites before the work shift or the start of a project. So you have to ensure toolbox talks are regular.
3. Make Use of Technological Development
In the modern world of technology, nearly every adult in the US and UK has a smartphone. Using smartphones is not all about calling and testing. Smartphones also come with apps and a universe of possibilities.
For instance, the StaySafe app provides long employee monitoring with life-saving features, such as check-in, low battery reminders, a panic button, and a non-movement alert. It can as well be a perfect way to monitor the safety of your staff while working separately, sharing assessments, and managing projects.
4. Maintain Transparent and Clear Communication
Apart from comprehensive and clear training practices, workers in the construction sector need to be honest as well as transparent regarding incident reporting and hazards. Any accident and injuries must be discussed with workers in the open to ensure every party involved takes lessons.
These discussions may as well result in the exchange of details, which can ascertain better practices in the near future. Although immediate consequences of a construction site accident are not always visible, there are many risks and dangers, which may also show an impact in the long run.
5. Prioritize Lockout Tagout
A lockout tagout or Loto program is a safety practice for many organizations, including construction companies, to offer protection to workers. Basically, this program is designed to enhance the safety of facilities.
When it’s implemented well, it may dramatically minimize the risks related to servicing and maintenance of equipment or machinery.
Machinery and equipment identified for Loto are certainly capable of the unexpected startups that can lead to the release of dangerous energy.
6. Get Workers Invested and Involved
Consider putting together a safety committee, which includes workers from every level of your company. The committee should get involved in updating and reviewing your company’s safety program, helping identify safety concerns, and crafting a job site-specific safety plan.
It is important to create corrective action plans with input from workers. Ensure all your employees know your plans to ascertain it is well enforced and executed. Be sure to as well assemble a response team for every job site consisting of your workers who have basic first teachings or training.
Final Touches!
A construction site is often regarded as a high-risk work environment. Workers may face a few safety and health dangers. So it is important to implement the right strategies to keep your workers safe at a construction site.
