The construction sector is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous sectors, posing serious health and safety risks. However, with appropriate safety measures in place, you can reduce these risks.
The latest report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the construction sector reveals alarming statistics, making it crucial to foster a strong safety culture in the construction industry. Let’s take a look at these statistics:
- The construction sector constitutes 6% of the workforce in Great Britain
- There were approximately 78,000 cases of work-related ill health
- There were about 42,000 musculoskeletal disorders, making up 53% of all ill health cases within this domain
- Construction workers suffered 59,000 non-fatal injuries
A strong foundation for successful construction companies lies within solid construction safety cultures. If you’re wondering what you should do to fortify your construction safety culture, the ways discussed in this blog will provide invaluable assistance in achieving this goal.
Ways to Improve Construction Company’s Safety Culture
Here are 10 ways for you to improve your construction company’s safety culture:
1. Ensure Awareness
Before allowing any worker to enter the construction site, you must ensure that they have a comprehensive understanding of potential hazards, regardless of their position or level of experience.
There should be regular training sessions and open conversations to ensure that workers have a clear understanding of the risks.
2. Adhere to Legislation
Adhering to the appropriate legislative framework is a cornerstone for fostering a robust safety culture within any construction company. Operating within the bounds of established regulations will demonstrate your commitment to the well-being of employees and lay the groundwork for a secure and productive work environment.
You can ensure that legal obligations underpin your company’s safety culture by upholding the following regulations:
- Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2015
- Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998
3. Conduct Training
Safety training helps workers prevent construction incidents and worker injuries. You should train new and existing employees to educate them on site-specific rules and regulations.
Furthermore, since laws and policies concerning workplace safety are constantly changing, it is important that safety training is not a one-time event. It is necessary to implement continuous training. Continuous training imparts the latest safety practices and serves to refresh the knowledge of existing protocols.
In line with these principles, courses like the CDM Training Course can ensure a workforce adept at navigating the evolving safety landscape.
4. Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The provision of suitable PPE plays a crucial role in promoting safety. PPE includes gloves, hard hats, protective eyewear, respiratory protection, steel-toed boots and high-visibility clothing. To maximise efficacy, you must ensure that each piece of PPE is accurately fitted and adjusted for individual workers before they access the job site.
5. Supervision in Construction Site Safety
You must ensure the presence of a capable supervisor to enforce safety standards on the construction sites with no exceptions. The supervisor must monitor all employees throughout the day and correct those who do not commit to proper construction site safety procedures.
The supervisor should be vigilant and must identify potential hazards that could jeopardise worker safety. If such hazards are present, the supervisor must promptly and effectively address them before any harm ensues.
6. Ensure Proper Documentation
To ensure the safety of the construction site, you must ensure proper documentation of all on-site activities. It’s essential to record different potential dangers and take preventive steps to reduce the associated risks. Both supervisors and managers should uphold thorough documentation for all site operations.
7. Implement Incident Reporting Procedures
It is important to establish protocols for incident reporting. Urge employees to inform supervisors about hazardous situations and instances where coworkers breach safety regulations. Ensure anonymity in reporting and offer positive feedback to foster adherence.
Furthermore, apart from flagging unsafe conditions, it’s essential for supervisors to submit error reports. This data can then be utilised to formulate enhanced approaches for averting future accidents. With a time clock app with GPS, supervisors can efficiently track employee movements and activities, identifying and addressing potential safety risks proactively. This proactive approach to incident reporting and safety management fosters a culture of continuous improvement and prioritizes the well-being of all team members.
8. Hold Everyone Accountable
Construction site safety is not only safety managers’ responsibility. Every person involved in the construction project has a role as a duty holder, bearing a vital responsibility. You must provide training to all the duty holders through the CDM Duty Holder Training Course to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their responsibility in upholding the construction site’s safety.
Communicate safety rules clearly and highlight that everyone on the site needs to follow them. Encourage workers to speak without fear if their coworkers disregard the safety protocols.
9. Conduct Daily Site Inspections
Conduct thorough inspections of the construction sites both before and after each workday to detect and resolve any safety issues. Before commencing work each day, hold a concise safety briefing that outlines the tasks planned for that day as well as the corresponding safety protocols.
10. Provide Safety Reminders
Posters, cautionary signals, and even manual gestures serve as the vocabulary of a construction safety culture. Maintain a constant reminder of employees’ dedication to on-site safety by affixing visual cues like posters and warning signs.
Conclusion
In the world of construction, where numerous risks are involved, the path to a safer future lies in our hands. By embracing the ways discussed in this guide, your construction company can pave the way towards a stronger safety culture.
From fostering awareness to adhering to regulations, from empowering employees through training to ensuring vigilant supervision – each step contributes to a robust safety foundation. Remember, it’s not just about compliance but about cultivating a mindset that values every individual’s well-being.
Through continuous improvement, accountable teamwork, and persistent reminders, we can build a construction industry where safety is a priority and a way of life.
