A construction job is only as good as its workforce. When a company takes the proper steps to maintain construction safety, it creates a culture of people who value performing their jobs productively and responsibly.
A culture of safety can lead to a credible reputation in your industry and protect your workforce from injuries. At the same time, you’ll remain compliant with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and keep profits flowing. A safe worksite also keeps innocent bystanders passing your location safe and gives them peace of mind.
It’s a vital task to create a clear safety culture and you must encourage it from the top executives to the employees. The team here at RGC Construction has put together these construction safety tips to help your company establish clear goals for safety and responsibility on the job site.
Reasons to Implement Construction Safety on Your Job Site
Avoid Common Work-Related Accidents
Implementing a safety plan for your construction site can help reduce the among of work-related accidents that occur. Common work-related accidents in the construction industry include:
- Slips or falls
- Electrocution
- Injuries from repetitive motion
- Being struck by an object
- Gas leaks and fire
- Vehicle or machinery-related accidents
When developing a safety protocol, it is important to consider all of the different accidents that could happen on your job site. Doing so will ensure that you are prepared to handle these situations if they arise.
Protection for the public and bystanders
Implementing a construction safety protocol not only protects your workers from danger but also the bystanders near the job site. Taking the time to consider the people that live and work in the surrounding area can help you determine the best steps to take to reduce the chances of them getting injured by potential accidents. As more and more construction projects are taking place in busy areas, the safety of the general public is something to remember when planning out your construction site safety protocol.
Financial Savings
Another reason to implement a construction safety plan is the financial benefits that come with having a safe job site. Making safety a priority allows you to avoid any type of fines or worker compensation claims that could potentially increase your total project’s expenses.
Staying Compliant with Legal and Regulatory Standards
Along with financial savings, investing in construction site safety will keep your site in compliance with workplace standards set by OSHA and other regulatory agencies. What’s more, having a construction site that aligns with these standards will help reduce the risk of inspections or other types of penalties that could delay your project from getting completed on time.
Improves Industry Creditability
When looking for new projects for your construction company, having a reputation for safety is often a major factor in landing contracts. Therefore, making it a point to include safety on your construction site can make the difference when trying to find new projects to expand your company.
Construction Safety Rules to Follow
It’s impossible to overemphasize the importance of construction safety because it’s the foundation of every successful project. Each organization is unique in its approach to this topic, so it’s essential to establish which construction safety tips and tricks your team will follow.
1. Invest in protective gear and clothing
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the first line of defense against injuries on the job site. OSHA-approved gear can protect your workers against threats with everything from impact-resistant helmets to eye protection, gloves and more.
2. Check equipment regularly
Routine equipment inspections can help your project in two ways. First, regular checks keep employees focused on maintaining safety as a top priority. Second, inspections provide a margin of safety for double-checking work to prevent dangerous errors.
3. Clean and protect the job site
A clean job site protects the professional appearance of your business and safeguards employee health. For example, simple pieces of debris can sabotage expensive and potentially dangerous machinery.
4. Create an emergency response plan
Even with the best-prepared safeguards in place, emergencies may occur. You can draft a contingency plan to expect the unexpected. This plan will help prevent confusion during an emergency and let employees know exactly how to proceed when you’re unavailable to direct the workforce.
5. Get the appropriate training
Training is a unique opportunity to educate employees on safety and reward team members who show the most interest. This process can make safety a resource for advancement at your company and encourage employees to build your safety culture.
6. Use proper techniques when lifting heavy equipment or materials
To avoid common lifting injuries, it is important to always use proper techniques when handling heavy materials or equipment on the job site. Make sure to always train your workforce on these specific lifting techniques and ensure they are properly using them. Taking the time to do so can drastically impact the number of lifting injuries that occur during your construction project.
7. Properly test tools and equipment before use
In addition to using proper techniques, it is also just as important to test your tools and equipment for using them. Taking the time to check that your tools are working properly before use can drastically reduce the chance of being injured. Always remember to check the manufactures manual and guidelines to ensure that your equipment is free of defects and damage.
8. Always make sure you are using the right tools
Making sure that you are using the right tool for the job you are performing is also essential to staying safe on the construction site. Doing so will ensure you avoid any type of accident that may occur due to improper use of the specific tool.
Shop a Selection of Safety Conscious Construction Tools From RGC Tools Today
RGC has manufactured the highest quality hydraulic tools for over 75 years. We design our tools with intelligent engineering focused on innovative productivity and maximum safety features.
Want to shop for construction tools and cutting equipment? You can browse our collection of tools to find the perfect fit for your next project. Have questions? Reach out to a friendly member of our service team online, give us a call at 800-831-5438 or send us an email at sales@rgcsales.com.
