Construction sites pose numerous safety threats. In fact, they are one of the most dangerous work environments in existence. Between operating heavy machinery and scaling tall structures, it’s important to stay vigilant to reduce one’s risk of injury. To ensure that your construction site is as safe as possible, follow these effective tips on how to improve construction site safety.
Clear Communication Is Key
On a construction site—and in pretty much any industry—clear communication is integral to creating a safe working environment. Before starting work on a construction site, it’s vital to explicitly lay out safety expectations and make sure that everyone is up-to-date on OSHA, ANSI, OHSA and/or CSA standards or others depending on your local regulations. Every single person on the construction site should have a firm understanding of the role that they play in preventing accidents and optimizing safety.
In addition to discussing safety guidelines before beginning work on a project, managers should also take measures to maintain communication regarding safety throughout the project’s lifespan. To do so, managers can start each workday with a brief safety talk, ingrain language about safety into procedures and policies, and implement safety signs and labels throughout a job site. In addition, managers should make sure that workers have ample means of communication throughout the day by distributing walkie-talkies, headsets, and other communication devices.
Enforce All Necessary Safety Guidelines
On a construction site, it’s not enough to make sure that all workers are aware of and up-to-date on all safety guidelines. You will also need to thoroughly enforce them. To keep workers safe, it’s important for them to know that following guidelines isn’t optional. Ultimately, letting something slide could result in someone getting seriously injured—or worse. As such, you will need to hold everyone on the job site accountable by laying out strict consequences and enforcing them if workers don’t meet safety guidelines. As a baseline for safety requirements on your construction site, follow OSHA’s Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (29 CFR 1926) or OHSA’s Construction Projects regulations (213/91)
Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment for the Job
Another tip on how to improve construction site safety is to acquire the right equipment for the job. Without the proper gear and equipment, the potential for injuries and fatalities greatly increases. As such, it’s critical to ensure that each piece of equipment used on your construction site is specifically designed for the application at hand. Further, everyone needs to maintain this equipment and inspect it regularly to ensure proper operation.
One key way to increase site safety is by using a construction hoist. To name a few reasons construction hoists increase jobsite safety, they lift workers without needing to use stairs, they enable a faster alternate fire escape or access route and they safely lift materials by removing overhead or loose-load risks.
If you’re interested in equipping your construction site with high-quality equipment that will keep your workers safe, UCEL Inc. can help. For over 55 years, we have provided secure and safe vertical transportation solutions for construction sites across the United States and Canada. From construction hoists to industrial elevators, we have you covered. To find an exceptional transportation solution for your unique project, contact us today.