Construction work comes with many hazards like falls, electrical dangers, heavy machinery, and material handling risks. As a construction business owner, keeping your workers safe should be a top priority. Implementing safety measures protects your crew, improves project quality, and avoids costly fines or legal issues. Consider these simple ways to enhance safety at your construction company.
Provide Extensive Training
Untrained workers are at the highest risk for accidents and injuries on the job. Develop thorough training programs that cover OSHA safety rules, equipment operation, material handling, fall protection, and job site hazards.
Require all new hires to complete initial safety training and existing staff to undergo annual refresher courses. Daily safety briefings and signage also boost awareness. Well-trained crews handle each task safely.
Maintain Equipment and Tools
Faulty equipment is a common cause of injuries. Regularly inspect gear like lifts, ladders, cranes, power tools, and PPE and immediately remove damaged items from service.
Schedule preventative maintenance and repairs to keep everything functional. Provide enough gear so workers are not overusing or improvising with equipment. Proper maintenance greatly reduces equipment-related risks.
Use Crane Mats To Make Surfaces More Stable
Unstable ground conditions under heavy cranes and equipment can lead to dangerous tip-overs. Investing in quality crane mats provides a sturdy, even surface that spreads weight, and minimizes shifting. Mats prevent equipment sinking or instability in soft soils or wet conditions.
Place crane mats to create clear paths from delivery to set-up locations before moving any machinery on site. Proper support keeps equipment steady for safe operation. Visit Legacy Mats to browse a range of options and find the perfect fit for your business.
Keep The Site Organized
Cluttered work zones lead to trips, falls, and accidents. Make sure walkways are clear, tools are put away neatly at the end of each shift, and materials are stacked safely out of the way.
Eliminate any slip, trip, or fall hazards like slick surfaces, uneven ground, hoses, or debris. A tidy site reduces potential injuries while making jobs easier to complete safely and efficiently.
Provide Enough Lighting
Poor visibility leads to all kinds of hazards. Evaluate light levels throughout the site and add extra temporary lighting as needed. Ensure walkways, work zones, equipment areas, and offices are well-lit. Replace any broken lights promptly. Proper illumination reduces strain while allowing workers to see and avoid dangers during tasks and travel around the site.
Have a Designated Safety Manager
Assign a knowledgeable staffer responsibility for monitoring job site safety daily. They can conduct inspections, correct issues, implement training, review policies, document incidents, and serve as a resource for workers’ safety concerns.
Safety managers help ensure protocols are followed consistently and always focus workers on safe behaviors and hazard prevention.
Provide Enough Quality PPE
Furnish all required protective gear like hard hats, harnesses, respirators, gloves, and eye and ear protection. Accident numbers are going up and PPE is vital. Make replacements readily available as equipment gets worn or damaged.
Train workers on the proper use and care of PPE. Implement policies enforcing consistent PPE use and correcting improper practices that put workers in danger.
Creating a culture of safety takes continuous effort but pays off through fewer accidents, reduced liability risks, and increased productivity. While regulations set minimum expectations, truly safe companies go above and beyond to protect their greatest asset – their workers. Using these tips fosters that environment of vigilance and care in your construction business.