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Construction Safety

Keeping your employees safe is not just your legal responsibility, it’s a moral obligation you have to the people who keep your business running strong every day. It’s also just good business, as accidents can lead to significant costs and downtime, while prevention can lead to a productive and healthy workplace. In this article, we’ll discuss safety rules for protecting workers and how to implement a safety program that benefits everyone involved.

Steps for Achieving Health and Safety in Construction

Safety in the workplace is mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Because of this, developing and implementing safety training programs that meet or exceed OSHA standards is critical for accident prevention. Recognizing safety hazards on the job site is the first step you can take to improve safety for the construction workers and other members of your team. Knowing how to properly use construction equipment and when to use personal protective equipment on construction sites are some of the ways you can foster a culture of safety on your job sites.

Below, we discuss specific site safety tips you can put into action today. If you need onsite safety training,
get in touch with Medcor to see how we can tailor programs for your workforce.

Wear PPE

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) became a buzzword during the pandemic, as nurses and other healthcare workers highlighted the importance of properly gearing up for work. But PPE has long been a staple of the construction industry, with the following being crucial for safety: head, hand and eye protection, high-visibility clothing, sturdy footwear, hearing protection, long pants and other specific PPE as required by the job (i.e. chemical splash goggles and face shields).

Post Signs

Prominent and clear signage throughout the job site will help not only your team, but anyone else who sets foot on the site to understand how to stay safe at all times. Safety, warning, caution and danger signs should be posted at all entrances and exits, as well as in high traffic areas where they can be easily read multiple times throughout the day.

Provide Instructions

Never assume everyone on the job site understands everything about the tools they are operating. Even the most experienced workers can develop bad habits and safety shortcuts over time, so it’s important to work with your crew to ensure each of them is up-to-date on construction equipment, tools and the general safety expectations for your job site.

Keep Worksite Clean and Organized

If there’s one thing a construction site generates quickly, it’s debris. Nails, screws, wood chips, metal and other scraps can pile up in no time. It’s critical to keep all access points and common pathways clear of these items. By utilizing trash containers and chutes — and keeping them clean — you’re helping create a much safer environment for your construction team.

Proper Use and Storage of Equipment

As mentioned above, training your workers on how to properly use their tools and other equipment is paramount. But it’s just as important to store these tools away properly. A loose cord can quickly become a tripping hazard, or a power tool accidentally left plugged in at the end of a shift can lead to disaster. Develop and strictly implement post-use protocols for all construction equipment.

Have an Emergency Plan

Does your team have a plan that covers natural disasters, fires, hazardous materials spills or other incidents? Your plan should not only cover mitigation, prevention and preparedness, but also response and recovery so you can safely return to work after an event. Make your plan clear to all employees and review it with them periodically.

Report Issues Immediately

Some of the most common OSHA violations found on construction sites include fall protection violations, hazard communications, problems with scaffolding, PPE usage, lockout/tagout issues and others. Your team should clearly understand how to report any violations they see immediately. This is for the protection of everyone on the job site.

Medcor and Construction Safety

While many of the items listed above fall under the category of common sense, bringing them all together into a single, comprehensive plan is trickier than it sounds. That’s where Medcor can help. Our subsidiary, Worldwide Safety Professionals, supports construction professionals like you on short- and long-term assignments to help see your construction project safely to completion. We have a vast network of experienced fire, rescue and industrial experts who will train your team, wherever they are.

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Construction Safety