Whether you’re overseeing a construction site or are a contractor performing smaller, simpler jobs in people’s homes, safety should always be foremost in your mind. Creating a culture of safety is vital in the truest sense of that word, meaning lives are on the line, not to mention bodies. If you need a review of safety on the job, here’s how to ensure worker safety on a worksite.
Train Your Workers, Then Retrain Them
Safety might seem instinctual, but there’s more to it than simply being careful. Make sure your workers receive regular training and testing from experts in safety procedures, proper operation of tools and other materials, how to wear safety equipment, and first aid and CPR. Construction isn’t a learn-as-you- go proposition, and accidents can’t be considered learning experiences. Don’t assume a person knows what they’re doing until they’ve proven it. Have regular and mandatory sessions in health and safety, and reward workers for successfully completing the course. And as requirements change, update the course as needed.
Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
Ensure any potential hazardous materials and dangerous areas on the site are clearly marked with warning signs, emergency lighting, warning ribbons, floor tape, and alarms, if necessary. This lets both workers and the public know what spaces on the site to be aware of or to avoid. Alert workers to changes in signage on the work site with a regular morning briefing, drawing their attention to new conditions. Posting alerts in a public space can also help. Communication is key when it comes to safety.
Ensure Safety Equipment Is Updated and Being Worn
No matter the worksite, some pieces of equipment should be standard issue and always worn. Key pieces of personal protection equipment that should be worn at every site include protective helmets, goggles or other eyewear, high-visibility vests or other clothing, ear plugs, dust masks, and protective shoes with steel toes and tarsal plates. Failure to wear these should result in immediate expulsion from the worksite until the worker is properly dressed. The supposed inconvenience of wearing this gear is superseded by the protection it provides.
Keep a Clean Worksite
When considering how to ensure worker safety on a worksite, don’t forget the importance of keeping things clean. Considering all the dirt, dust, and debris kicked and piled up on a worksite, keeping anything clean seems like a losing proposition. But clean doesn’t have to mean pristine, at least at first. Keep an orderly workplace. Supplies and materials should be secured and kept away from places where people walk and operate equipment. Spills, especially hazardous ones, must be cleared and cleaned up immediately. Equipment should be carefully maintained and cleaned as well. A clean site is a safe site, as well as a professional-looking one.
