The construction industry is inherently dangerous. Every year there are thousands of injuries, and even fatalities, as a result of work-site hazards. In response to these statistics, OSHA has made several updates to their safety standards in hopes of reducing the danger for workers. As an organization with a vested interest in seeing our members return home from work each day safe and uninjured, the Association of General Contractors (AGC) has implemented strict guidelines for its members on how to be safer on site. These recommendations are backed by research into the most common causes of accidents as well as statistical analysis that points out where we need to focus our efforts. While not mandatory, these guidelines from OSHA serve as a helpful resource for any contractor looking to improve the safety at their sites. Keep reading for a breakdown of AGC’s recommendations — and how you can implement them in your organization:
Conduct A Site Audit
The first step to improving safety on site is understanding the current state of your operations — and that means conducting a site audit. An audit should include an evaluation of your equipment, including the state of repair, maintenance schedules, and usage rates. You’ll also want to take a look at your safety equipment, like safety glasses and hard hats, to make sure it’s up to code. Additionally, you’ll want to examine your communication and PPE policies to make sure they are up to date and followed by every employee. A site audit will allow you to spot problems before they lead to an accident. This will allow you to make adjustments and put plans in place to prevent the same mistakes from happening again. A site audit doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming — you can do it yourself in just a few hours. You’ll just need to set aside some time to observe the site and take notes on your findings.
Use And Maintain The Right Equipment
OSHA’s number one recommendation for reducing accidents is to use and maintain the right equipment for the job. This might seem obvious, but it’s important to note that OSHA doesn’t just mean the tools that are required by the job — they mean the right tools for the job. While there might be a cheaper alternative available, using the right equipment ensures that your contractors are working at their best. Additionally, it helps prevent tool wear and tear that can lead to further accidents down the line. For every piece of equipment your organization uses, there are maintenance checklists that detail exactly when the piece should be serviced — and who is responsible for making sure it happens. This should be a mandatory part of your safety program and should be included in your contractor checklist. With this in place, you’ll be able to catch any problems before they become a major issue. Moving beyond just checking tools, though, you’ll also want to make sure your organization has a proper PPE policy in place. This should include what PPE each job site should require, as well as when it should be worn and taken off. For example, your PPE policy should note that hard hats should be worn whenever workers are on ladders — even if they are on the ground floor. This might seem like overkill, but it’s important to follow the regulations to the letter.
Provide Proper Trainings
One of the easiest ways to improve safety on site is to make sure every employee has the proper training for the job they’re doing. This means that every contractor should be certified in their field as well as in the equipment they are using. Additionally, you should provide refresher trainings on a regular basis to make sure everyone stays up to date. This goes for both your employees and your clients: All personnel should receive training on proper safety practices and emergency procedures, including evacuation routes and how to use equipment safely. Your clients should also be provided with information on how to operate any equipment you are overseeing and how to use supplies you’ve provided properly. The best way to ensure training happens is to make it mandatory. You should have a checklist that notes when each person should be certified and make sure they follow through on completing their training. You may also want to consider offering training for your clients when applicable — such as a meeting on how to safely use the construction site.
Utilize Advanced Safety Technologies
While site audits, proper equipment, and training are critical to improving safety on site, you can also make use of advanced safety technologies to augment your existing practices. Beyond just safety equipment, you can make use of safety software that can help to identify hazards, track equipment maintenance, and more. Using safety software can help to make sure everyone is following the rules and working safely at all times. You can also partner with safety technology providers that can help you to integrate new features that go above and beyond what is required by OSHA. For example, you can partner with a drone company to use aerial technology to help survey the job site.
Add Physical Safety Measures
Finally, you can add physical safety measures to your site to help protect your employees from hazards. While OSHA regulations are in place, there are some additional safety measures that you can take to help your contractors stay safe. For example, you can use guardrails to prevent workers from falling off ladders or scaffolding, and you can install safety nets to catch falling debris. You can also make use of barriers and signs to mark off areas that are off-limits or to warn of potential hazards.
By following these best practices, you can make sure your site is safe for everyone involved — both your employees and your clients. A safe site results in fewer injuries and lowers your organization’s liability. ## Conclusion
Keeping a construction site safe is no easy feat, but it’s one that’s necessary to protect everyone involved in the process. Whether you’re a contractor that works with clients or you run your own site, it’s important to make safety your number one priority. To begin, you’ll want to conduct a site audit and make any necessary adjustments based on the results. You’ll also want to use and maintain the right equipment, provide proper training, and make use of advanced safety technologies. Finally, you can add physical safety measures to help protect your employees from hazards. These techniques will help to keep everyone safe and reduce accidents on-site.
Thank you for reading, if you need to see more of what we have to offer you can follow the links below!
Contact Us For More Information!