Most people know that construction sites can be dangerous places to work. While accidents and injuries in the workplace can be a headache for ordinary employers, many accidents at construction sites are potentially life-threatening. Some of these causes include falls, electrocution, accidents with machinery or equipment, burns, and even explosions, to name just a few. There are several steps you can take to improve safety on the construction site, though, which will not only improve workplace safety, but they also reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve morale.
Training/education
It is vital that all workers at your construction site have the necessary knowledge to do the job they’ve been assigned, and use any tools required to do that job. Proper training and education will help to minimize accidents.
Employees, as well as any person who visits the construction site, should be educated on appropriate safety measures. This includes wearing the necessary protective gear, double checking the work area for potential hazards, being vigilant with electricity, and preventing fires.
In the case of injuries, it will help if workers have basic training in first aid procedures, and a first aid kit should be accessible to all workers. This will help to handle cuts, burns, and falls before the paramedics arrive.
Communication
Communication plays an essential role in safety on the construction site. When there are clear communication channels between the supervisor and workers, accidents are less likely to occur. Effective communication about the goals and activities of the day will leave all workers sure of their role and what to expect. As such, most of the surprises that could lead to bodily harm are eliminated. Some of the ways through which construction sites can enhance communication between contractors and workers are by using devices such as smartphones and headsets. These give workers a way to quickly obtain clarification from their supervisors.
Proper equipment
A lot goes into making a construction site safe and secure when it comes to equipment. With the many machines in action on a typical construction site, employers should take every precaution to ensure that every single piece of equipment is suited for the task for which it is being used for. Employers and supervisors should also see to it that the equipment is serviced regularly so that it is well maintained.
A safe construction site also requires supporting equipment. For example, there should be adequate water and a shady place for workers to cool off under to prevent heat exposure-related illnesses. Depending on the nature of the project, it may even be necessary to have a secure structure to protect supplies and equipment.
Supervision
No matter how much effort you put into training workers on safety precautions, there will still be those who don’t understand, or even ignore them. To ensure that the actions of these employees do not harm fellow workers, the project, or the company, it is important to have an active supervisor at the site to enforce safety precautions and correct workers.
Employee screening
Studies have shown that the use of drugs—even when done outside of working hours, can interfere with both the physical and mental abilities of the user, resulting in impaired judgment, lack of coordination, and delayed reaction time. According to David Bell, with USA Mobile Drug Testing, the construction industry has the second highest rate of drug use out of all industries in America, and that problem is only going to increase as marijuana legalization continues to sweep the nation.
This makes both pre employment and random drug screening essential to hiring in the construction industry. Along with drug screening, it’s also essential to conduct a criminal background check to help avoid hiring a risky employee.