Ways To Help Keep Workers Safe in the Construction Industry
Construction sites are everywhere, but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous. Workers tend to encounter many safety hazards while working in this industry, which means they need to be properly prepared as to how to handle such situations to protect themselves and others around them. There are many important protocols that one must consider on every construction site. Learn some ways to help keep workers safe in the construction industry by reading below.
Promote a Safety Culture
One way to ensure better safety for all workers on a construction site is to establish a safety culture. Rather than simply instituting basic safety guidelines, instilling “safety first” as a core principle of your company will be far more beneficial. Each worker needs to think about not only their own safety but also the safety of those around them. Start by creating a safety team or committee to support your safety manager supervise and check up on safety performance around your site. The team can be made up of staff managerial, executive, operational, and craft labor. This will cover every type of staff in your company and ensure everyone has the same responsibility to practice safety.
Design a Site-Specific Safety Plan
Another way to keep workers safe on your construction projects is to design a safety plan that’s specific to your site along with the plans you’re drawing up for that next project. While you’re planning for specifics, such as obstacles, resources, and the work the project will entail, inspect the site and determine the hazards present, so you can form the site-specific safety plan. Examine each task that will be a part of the project as you form the construction plan. Define the safety measures that need to be applied and include any necessary personal protective equipment and training. Make sure you share this plan with every worker on site, and don’t forget to highlight that it will be an expectation that everyone must follow.
Institute Quality Training
One of the most important ways to help keep workers safe in the construction industry to provide them with quality training. This should always be a priority. It’s important to note that training is not only necessary for new hires—it’s also essential for industry veterans. It will keep them informed on the most up-to-date safety practices. Training should review all safety expectations and requirements, evacuation procedures, and first-aid plans. Further training should include how to perform each task safely so that everyone nearby is not in any danger. Another aspect to include in worker training is identifying different types of construction waste materials. There will be certain materials that will be classified as hazardous, which means workers should know what these are, so they can handle and dispose of these materials safely.
