Creating a safe construction site for your employees and subcontractors is critical. You may think you can get away with a few minor hazards here and there. However, the “it won’t happen to me” mentality usually leads to tragedy. Plus, OSHA could show up at your office at any moment and inspect the job site – and you don’t want to risk failing due to laziness.
So, remember these tips when conducting daily and weekly inspections. Additionally, ensure that everyone working on the construction site is adequately trained, licensed, and insured before you hire them.
Importance of Safety
OSHA’s top 4 fatal hazards identify the most common construction dangers that lead to fatalities: falls, caught-in/between, struck-by, and electrocutions. Of course, these are not the only hazards on the job site, but keeping them in mind when protecting your crew is critical. Safety is essential for the lives of your workers and your company’s reputation. Accidents can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, so it’s best to take a preventative approach.
If you develop a reputation for unsafe working conditions, you’ll have difficulty finding reliable subcontractors and booking high-paying clients. Plus, nobody should be careless about life-threatening situations. It’s not good for the mental health of your team or the families of those at risk.
Personal Protective Equipment
When ensuring construction site safety, having the right equipment is crucial. You can find the necessary Wacker Neuson parts in their catalog to keep your site running smoothly.
Personal protective equipment – or PPE – is a given in construction. Yet, many people are still careless about protecting themselves from occupational hazards. Sometimes it can boil down to overconfidence. However, regardless of your skill level, it’s an accident. Therefore, personal protective equipment is a necessity.
All of the following equipment should be accessible to your workers and subcontractors at all times, even if it’s not necessary for the task at hand:
- Boots;
- Hard hats;
- Safety Goggles;
- Respiratory protection;
- Bright, noticeable vests;
- Scaffolds with fall protection;
- Adequate and secure ladders;
- Shielding for trenches;
- Secure harness with proper anchor attachments;
- Guardrails;
- Water, fans, and access to a cool indoor place to rest from the heat.
Know Before You Go
Before anyone enters the construction site, you must brief them on what to expect for the day. An unaware worker may be more likely to cause a costly accident if they don’t know which safety hazards are present. Additionally, you should ensure that your workers or visitors get a recap on safety measures to take before entering.
Training
Before hiring them, you must ensure all employees and subcontractors are appropriately trained, licensed, and insured. Additionally, you could set up an onboarding training program to teach your workers the best safety practices on the job site. Then, you can make them implement what they’ve learned so you know they are prepared for the tasks ahead. This will bring you peace of mind and protect the lives of everyone on the project.
On top of onboarding safety training, you should keep workers up-to-date on the latest safety practices as the industry’s technology evolves. Even though most new technology makes the job safer, everyone must know how to operate it to avoid injury or death.
Job Site Conditions
One of the most significant safety hazards can be a lack of cleanliness on the job site. However, having scraps with exposed nails is a recipe for disaster. Plus, getting things done is harder when there’s a mess to work around. It’s essential to maintain and replace worn-out heavy equipment parts using aftermarket components to ensure optimal performance and safety.
Additionally, you should hire a professional cleaning company to clean up daily and keep the work environment safe. Not only does cleanliness protect your workers, but it also makes you look more professional when your client checks on your progress.
Licenses, Permits, and Planning Ahead
The pre-construction planning period may arguably be the most critical stage of the process. During this phase, you must gain the approval of your local municipality by obtaining all necessary licenses and permits to do the job. Additionally, you’ll be able to plan for potential safety hazards, which gives you adequate time to gather all necessary supplies and equipment before construction starts.
Conclusion
Construction site safety is crucial and non-negotiable for your workers’ well-being and mental health. If you do not take the safety of yourself and other contractors seriously, you are in the wrong industry. Therefore, you should have the proper training programs to ensure everyone knows what to do when their lives are at stake.
On top of appropriate training, you must have all the necessary protective equipment for everyone working or visiting the job site. For example, old, worn harnesses need to be scrapped and replaced with new, strong ones. The simple tips in this article can make a difference in preventing costly, tragic accidents that put your company and employees at risk.
