It pays to be safety conscious in the building industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that fatal and non-fatal injuries combine to cost the industry roughly $11.5 billion annually. With that in mind, it would make sense that all stakeholders involved would want to do all that they can to ensure their building sites are as safe and organized as possible.
Keeping a building site safe and organized requires a good plan and buy-in from all interested parties, good communication, the right tools, and the proper incentives. Some of these aspects are easily accomplished together, while others will require a specific focus.
But how can one go about using these tools practically either themselves, with their crew, or within their business? Well, be sure to stick around as we dive into the essentials.
Make A Plan And Get Commitments
Thinking ahead is the best way to stay organized and stay accident-free. No matter what size project is being proposed, having a good plan will ensure that all aspects of safety and management have been addressed and any contingencies have been planned for.
Once a plan has been made, get buy-in from all relevant stakeholders, including clients and workers. Having a good understanding of the big picture will help everyone know what to expect.
Ensure Good Communication On-Site
Hi-vis vests and walkie-talkies are great tools, but if a team isn’t communicating on the site, the chances of staying organized and safe are low.
Some Tools To Help Ensure Proper Communication Include:
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Daily meetings:
Communication starts with setting goals and communicating freely so that all stakeholders know what is going on. Keeping an eye on the big picture will not only help everyone know what role they play in the larger machine but also what areas to watch out for proactively in terms of safety.
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Airhorns:
In the din of a construction site, nothing can cut through the noise like the squeal of an airhorn.
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Bullhorns:
As anyone who has ever tried to shout over a generator can tell you, it gets old. A bullhorn can be invaluable when giving instruction in loud environments.
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Always work sober:
It should go without saying, but the inebriated are terrible communicators, eliminate them from the workspace as soon as possible.
Get The Right Equipment For The Job
One aspect that is overlooked is the importance of having the right tools for each project. This is where planning ahead can help make everything more efficient, as a good plan will let everyone know what equipment will be needed where and when. This will save on expensive overruns for rentals on equipment that is underutilized at times due to poor planning.
And besides knowing what new tools you may need for each job, there are also some pieces of equipment that are great for keeping any job site safe and organized.
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PPE:
Those in the trades have long known the importance of quality personal protective equipment (PPE) for parts of the body such as the eyes and face, head, hand and foot, body, and hearing. This can include items such as hard hats, goggles, proper footwear, gloves, and ear protection.
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Good Lighting:
Poor lighting can lead to all sorts of issues on a job site. Good task lighting can be helpful, and portable light stands can be brought into areas where fixtures have yet to be installed. This needn’t be expensive; simple LED floodlights should do the trick. In a pinch, flashlights can be used.
One of the biggest causes of accidents is a disorganized worksite. Stay on top of debris—and dispose of it safely—with a self-dumping hopper. This piece of equipment is great for handling all sorts of materials safely and keeping organized.
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Monitoring equipment:
Most jobs will want to monitor air quality, especially for gases such as carbon monoxide and nitric oxide. Leak detectors for gas lines can likewise be useful. In certain cases, personal radiation monitors may be required.
Incentivize Success
The last key is essential to achieving the results that one wants: providing the proper motivation. This can mean a variety of things. For example, if your team finishes a project earlier than planned—while working safely and staying organized (of course)— it may be worth a monetary bonus or extra PTO. Likewise, look into your available data and see where your accidents are occurring and incentivize behavior to change things around.
Keeping a building worksite safe and organized is the responsibility of everyone who works there. By keeping the above keys in mind and following best practices, any building site can be a great place to work where jobs are completed on time, and everyone gets to go home at the end of the day. Still, have questions or comments about keeping a construction site safe and organized? Please don’t hesitate to reach out. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading, thank you.
