Implementing safety measures isn’t just a priority but a necessity for every organization. So how do you keep your construction sites safe and what safety measures do you take?
Here are some of the rules that one must follow to stay safe, productive and compliant.
Without a clear communication plan, all the effort that you’ve put into planning might go messy and awry. Begin your days with a clear, simple, and detailed safety briefing and ensure that every is aware of it. Encourage workers to report unsafe conditions immediately and make sure they know what to do during emergency incidents.
Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) all the time is not optional anymore. You now need smart protective and tech savvy gear. Some of them are smart helmets that trigger alert when a danger or a hazard is nearby, Safety glasses with augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) features, and smart boots that help you detect falls. These cutting-edge gears significantly protect and warn the workers from hazards.
A cluttered and messy site creates more probable conditions for accidents to occur. Clean up and organize the workplace regularly and implement the 5S approach. A clean and organized site not only protects your teams from accidents but also helps in boosting efficiency. Leverage the 5S checklist for construction site safety.
Construction is a highly demanding job, and the work pressure can certainly take a toll not just on your physical health, but it’d also exhaust your mental health. Create a safe work culture where you support each other’s mental well-being. Implement programs for mental health and create awareness. Provide resources that talks about mental well-being.
The latest advancements in tech in the construction field seem quite promising. Drones for remote site inspection without putting the lives of the workers on stake, GPS system or geo-fencing for tracking worker locations in real-time, and sensors for detecting hazardous gas leaks or equipment malfunction – these tech solutions are game-changers. Integrate them to make the most of it and make your sites safer and more efficient.
Be prepared for any unforeseen emergency that might come your way. Create an emergency response plan or incident plan and include the details for evacuation routes, designated safe zones, and shut off procedures. Natural disaster or a fire, your team should be prepared to handle them. Conduct mock drills to prepare the team.
Make training a priority and ensure that every member is trained well. Update your training resources regularly and include new tools, techniques, procedures, or regulations that the workers should be aware of. Make the training hands-on and use virtual reality (VR) to create that experience in a safe environment.
To identify potential hazards before they cause major/minor accidents, schedule daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly inspections. Missing these inspections could result in any form of incident and hence ensure that you follow them up regularly. Pay special attention to equipment inspection and ensure they are regularly serviced and are working perfectly fine.
Implementing an effective safety management system from the ground up is essential. When workers see that the leadership prioritizes safety, they automatically do the same. Get employer buy-in for safety policy commitment and reward safe practices. Make it a part of the performance evaluation.
Don’t panic during pandemic. Instead, implement health protocols and maintain hygiene at workplaces throughout the year. Conduct regular health screening and contact tracing for a robust safety strategy.
You certainly don’t have to wait for an incident to jolt you into action. Implement robust safety measures today and build a safer tomorrow for your workers, your broader teams, and the communities.
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Let’s make your workplace safer – Your team deserves it, and your business depends on it.
