Construction, Business - 5 min read
You can’t afford to let on-site safety be an afterthought. Not only does it put your workers at risk, you could be held liable in the event of a serious accident.
Below we explore 6 simple ways of improving your safety standards on-site, ensuring you’re always providing a safe, productive and efficient working environment.
Hiring can be a difficult process. You may be desperate for more hands, but you need them to be capable hands, otherwise you’re inviting trouble to your site. Remember, some people are more prone to risk than others. Incompetent workers are far more likely to become injured or injure another, so you should always keep an eye on your staff progress.
It’s important to carefully screen candidates before you hire them. If they’ve got the right level of skills, experience and certification, then they should be a strong addition to your team. If they don’t but you still see potential in them, then ensure you train them appropriately, only putting them in situations they can handle.
Also ensure you check all past references. Call previous employers and find out how they performed, rather than taking what they say at face value. This often-forgotten step could save you a lot of trouble down the line.
Not everyone arrives to site with the skills you need. It’s vital that workers with a strong potential are trained appropriately, in accordance with the most up-to-date industry knowledge and safety standards. If you don’t have the skills to train them, bring in a consultant or send your workers to training sessions. It may seem like a big outlay now, but it’ll lift the quality of your work and set a strong precedent for high performance in the long run.
The way you carry out your work will influence the way others perceive your values. This means that they will work the same way to get your approval. So, if you rush your job and don’t bother with safety measures, then they’ll do the same. The same is true for praise. If you praise a worker who works fast but doesn’t worry about safety, then you’re setting that standard of behaviour for everyone.
If there’s an accident on-site and you don’t report it, then in the future, that same practice will carry through, leaving you exposed to serious liability. Therefore, it’s vital that you work safely every time.
If glasses are scratched, if helmets are old, if high-vis isn’t available, then your workers are at risk. If you provide the best tools and equipment you could possibly provide, then you’ve done half your job already. The next part is ensuring they are used properly and serviced (or replaced) regularly. Ensure your tools and equipment are always meeting rigorous safety standards and your team know how to use them. This will keep the injuries and the lawyers away.
Be prepared for the worst and you’ll be ready for anything. Have a strong contingency plan for anything you think may go wrong on site (e.g. electrical, scaffolding, collision). If you’re unsure, talk to a construction safety consultant.
It’s also very important to set up an Inspection and Test Plan. This is a plan which sets out what needs to be checked throughout your project to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety are always upheld on-site. Ensure sure these plans are communicated to your team. There’s no point having safety measures in place if no one knows how to use them. Call a team meeting, train them, then practice - it’ll make a huge difference.
You’ve got your standards in place, but how can you improve them? What you’re currently doing probably isn’t enough. New technologies and practices are being developed every day, many of which will add a lot to your business. Stay abreast of industry publications and you’ll find yourself better informed to make the best decisions. And don’t forget how much of a drawcard having perfect safety standards is when you’re trying to win a big tender.
On-site safety matters. Put these 6 tips into action and your safety standards will improve immensely.
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