A proactive, positive approach is needed to ensure safety on construction sites, according to a recent article.
Industry publication Construction Dive interviewed Randy Dombrowski, director of safety services for Wisconsin-based Sentry Insurance’s West region.
Dombrowski said the premier construction companies are monitoring safety-related metrics to gauge how they’re doing in that element of their work.
“…I think a well oiled machine is monitoring that,” he said. “It’s not having a safety plan that’s collecting dust, it’s revisiting that safety plan and that other element of how safe are we, what is our incident rate? What is our track record?
“When I’m out on a project site or I’m presenting at a safety meeting, that’s one of my conversations,” Dombrowski continued. “Do you know what your company’s track record is? Do you know how safe you guys are? And that’s really based on your loss experience and claim experience, right? Well, what’s driving losses?”
Ensuring safety on construction sites is crucial for protecting workers, reducing accidents, and maintaining project efficiency. The construction industry, due to its inherently hazardous nature, requires a proactive approach to safety management. Here are the best practices to ensure a safe and secure work environment on construction sites.
1. Comprehensive Safety Training
Effective safety training is the foundation of any successful safety program on a construction site. Workers must be equipped with the knowledge to recognize and mitigate hazards specific to their tasks. This training should cover essential topics such as fall prevention, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency response procedures. Regular refresher courses are equally important to keep safety protocols fresh in the minds of workers, ensuring they are up-to-date with the latest safety standards and regulations.
“You can only be lucky so long before accidents and injuries start to surface,” Dombrowski said. “And they’re going to surface. Because luck runs out. And that’s where those superior safety programs and policies and reinforcement make a big difference.”
2. Risk Identification and Assessment
Identifying potential hazards before they cause accidents is a critical step in ensuring site safety. Conducting thorough risk assessments at the beginning of each project, and continuously updating them as work progresses, helps in pinpointing areas that require additional safety measures. This proactive approach allows for the implementation of appropriate controls, such as installing guardrails or implementing safety protocols for handling hazardous materials.
3. Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is a crucial defense against many construction site injuries. Ensuring that workers have access to and properly use items such as helmets, gloves, safety boots, and goggles can prevent a significant number of injuries. It’s not enough to simply provide PPE; workers must be trained on its correct use, and equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its effectiveness.
4. Fall Prevention Strategies
Falls are one of the leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry, making fall prevention a top priority. Implementing robust fall protection systems, such as safety nets, guardrails, and personal fall arrest systems, is essential. Additionally, workers must be trained on how to properly use these systems and understand the importance of inspecting their equipment regularly. Ensuring that scaffolding is correctly installed and maintained is also critical to preventing fall-related injuries.
5. Maintain a Clean and Organized Worksite
Good housekeeping practices are fundamental to preventing accidents. A clean and organized worksite reduces the risk of trips, slips, and falls. This involves regularly clearing debris, properly storing tools and materials, and ensuring that walkways are free of obstructions. Regular site inspections should be conducted to enforce these practices and identify any potential hazards that could lead to accidents.
6. Effective Communication and Supervision
Clear communication is key to maintaining safety on a construction site. Regular safety meetings and briefings ensure that all workers are aware of potential hazards and understand the safety protocols in place. Supervisors play a crucial role in enforcing safety standards and should be trained to recognize unsafe practices and intervene when necessary. Encouraging workers to report unsafe conditions without fear of reprisal can help in identifying issues before they lead to accidents.
7. Emergency Preparedness
Accidents and emergencies can happen despite the best preventive measures, so being prepared is vital. Developing and regularly practicing emergency response plans ensures that all workers know how to respond in case of an incident, such as a fire, chemical spill, or serious injury. Emergency drills should be conducted periodically to test the effectiveness of these plans and to make necessary adjustments.
8. Leveraging Technology
The use of modern technology can significantly enhance safety on construction sites. For example, safety management software can help track incidents, manage compliance, and analyze data to predict and prevent future accidents. Drones and wearable devices can monitor site conditions and worker safety in real-time, providing an added layer of protection. Embracing these technologies can lead to more efficient safety practices and a reduction in workplace accidents.
9. Foster a Culture of Safety
A strong safety culture begins with leadership. Management must demonstrate a commitment to safety by setting clear expectations, leading by example, and promoting safe work practices at all levels of the organization. Recognizing and rewarding safe behavior can further reinforce this culture, encouraging workers to prioritize safety in their daily tasks.
Dombrowski acknowledged that it can be difficult for a contractor to get follow-through on safety practices but said that a negative safety message is never the answer.
“We always want to take a proactive, positive approach,” he said. “I’ve seen the other side of that too, where the leaders start complimenting and recognizing what they’re doing well, and then maybe lead to a message of, ‘Here’s areas of improvement we need to focus on.’ But you allow it to be interactive during those meetings.”
10. Continuous Improvement
Safety is not a one-time effort, but a continuous process. Regularly reviewing and updating safety policies to reflect the latest industry practices, technological advancements, and regulatory changes is essential. Encouraging feedback from workers can provide valuable insights into potential safety improvements and help in adapting safety measures to evolving site conditions.
GPRS Services Help Ensure Safety on Your Job Sites
At GPRS, we say, “Safety is always on our radar.”
Safety is always our top priority. Our SIM-certified Project Managers conduct 99.8%-accurate utility locating and concrete scanning, pinpoint-accurate leak detection, NASSCO-certified video pipe inspections, and 2-4mm-accurate 3D laser scanning to prevent subsurface damage when you need to break ground. And we host and/or sponsor several safety programs throughout the year to educate you and your team on the best practices for ensuring everyone leaves the job site in the same condition they arrived.
From skyscrapers to sewer lines, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What type of informational output is provided when GPRS conducts a utility locate?
Our Project Managers flag and paint our findings directly on the surface. This method of communication is the most accurate form of marking when excavation is expected to commence within a few days of service.
GPRS also uses a global positioning system (GPS) to collect data points of findings. We use this data to generate a plan, KMZ file, satellite overlay, or CAD file to permanently preserve results for future use. GPRS does not provide land surveying services. If you need land surveying services, please contact a professional land surveyor. Please contact us to discuss the pricing and marking options your project may require.
What types of concrete scanning does GPRS provide?
GPRS provides two specific but different scanning services: elevated concrete slab scanning and concrete slab-on-grade locating. Elevated concrete slab scanning involves detecting embedded electrical conduits, rebar, post-tension cables, and more before core drilling a hole through the slab. Performing a concrete slab-on-grade locating service typically involves scanning a trench line for conduits before conducting saw cutting and trenching to install a sanitary pipe, water line, or something similar.
