Construction Safety 101: 5 Ways to Improve Work Efficiently and Safely On Site

Working on a construction site is one of the most physically demanding professions, requiring substantial effort and exposing workers to heightened safety risks. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, there are several strategies to boost work efficiency and guarantee on-the-job safety.

(Photo : Unsplash/Ümit Yıldırım )

1. Use personal protective equipment. 

Construction workers must always ensure they wear the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to maintain their safety on working sites where hazards are everywhere. Several types of protective gear can be considered essential, including hard hats, safety harnesses, eye and facial protection, protective clothes, and more. 

Moreover, the company's construction site safety plan needs to include a category for PPE since it lowers the likelihood of injuries occurring during incidents. A safety officer should also inspect every worker before the start of their shift, and the officer should also monitor the workers' protective gear throughout the day when they are on the job.

2. Provide up-to-date safety training and assign onsite safety responsibilities.

Distinct tasks have been assigned to each employee present at a construction site, which means that employees are subjected to various hazards and dangers, each of which requires a unique approach to management and mitigation, depending on the function they play.

Particular safety practices must be made available to employees who are responsible for a variety of work projects in addition to the basic training that the organization offers. These rules for workplace safety must always be specific and accurate to the tasks being carried out. It is also essential that they be included in the construction safety plan and taught to newly hired workers and workers who have changed jobs within the construction operation.

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3. Invest in Quality Equipment

Investing in high-quality machinery and equipment for your business is the second most crucial thing you need to make sure of after the assessment. Many construction workers buy low-quality or secondhand machinery with faulty parts to save money but pay a high price.

In construction sites, the ladder is the most common piece of equipment that is utilized. Therefore, if the ladder you receive is damaged or missing a piece, it can lead to a significant fall for your employee, resulting in a substantial loss of business for you.

Instead of focusing on cost savings when purchasing construction equipment, you should look for the best option with a guarantee. This will ensure that if something goes wrong, the responsibility will be transferred to the production company rather than the construction company.

4. Secure The Equipment

Ensure that the construction equipment you have acquired for your company is protected. In most cases, the safety manual and instructions for each piece of equipment you purchase are included in the package. As a result, you must adhere to the instructions that come with each piece of equipment.

If your equipment needs to be indoors and away from debris, put it properly. Some of them may need to be positioned close to the electrical plug to ensure they continue functioning while the building is taking place.

5. Keep open lines of communication.

Disseminate information to all stakeholders and employees of the organization regarding any hazardous circumstances identified during the assessment of possible dangers at the job site. The good news is that it is now possible to communicate in real time between the office and the building site due to the advancement of technology, including smart gadgets and software for construction management. 

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