Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, hence why site safety is taken so seriously.
HSE reported that 45 people suffered fatal injuries on sites last year, making it the most dangerous industry in Great Britain by far. The most common accidents were falls from height, being hit by a moving object, or being struck by a moving vehicle.
If you’re looking to improve site safety, here are some of the main factors you should be considering.
Supplies of proper PPE
Providing the appropriate personal protective equipment to workers should be the number one priority if you’re looking to improve safety.
The fundamentals for construction environments are usually hard hats, safety glasses, boots, hi-vis clothing, and work gloves, but there’s much more equipment that goes unnoticed. Items such as bungee cords help to secure loads to vehicles and other objects across the site. Ensure your team has a steady supply of PPE so workers are always protected.
Effective safety training
The importance of safety training can’t be overstated. Full details on safety procedures and expectations should be provided to everyone onsite to encourage consistency across the board.
Interactive sessions getting to grips with specific machinery, tools, and working methods can reinforce more general training and boost safety across the site. Additional training should be proactive rather than reactive, as it so often is.
Boost security
Safety doesn’t just concern the actions of the workforce, but factors from outside the construction site. Security measures help to keep members of the public safe outside the barriers and protect staff and equipment inside.
More extensive CCTV networks, guards, gates, strong barriers, and clear signage can boost site security significantly, which can allow those inside to focus more on the job at hand.
Optimize working conditions
The work environment is a major factor in itself when it comes to site safety. This includes routines, schedules, physical conditions, and communication within the team. Measures such as ensuring workers take regular breaks help to keep their concentration levels up throughout the day.
Limiting distractions in the form of mobile phones and other things are fundamentals of site operations, but you’d be surprised how many things can divert attention. Observe your workforce for a period and see where you can optimize the working environment for safety.
Accountability from everyone
Every member of the team on site is responsible for their own safety and the safety of others. That’s why accountability from top to bottom is so important. Decision makers must implement policies and direct teams with a safety-first approach and workers should follow these at all times.
A safety culture isn’t always easy to develop, but it can be done with consistency and accountability at all levels. When safety becomes hardwired into the patterns of a workforce, site safety increases drastically.
Abdul Qadeer is highly experienced in creating engaging content that adds real value to a blog, website, or brand. He is creating content for multiple niches like technology, SEO, Marketing, Health, Education and Career Development, etc.