Four Best Practices to Improve Safety on a Construction Site

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 150,000 construction site accident injuries occur in the United States every year. So, construction site safety must be taken seriously.

There are various ways in which companies can improve their sites’ safety. Four of the best methods are providing continual training, employing a supervisor to monitor workers, ensuring all equipment is well maintained, and embracing clear communication between all construction site employees.

Let’s take a closer look at those four best practices.

1. Provide Continual Training

Various types of accidents can happen on a construction site, such as scaffold collapses, falls from heights, chemical burns, electrical accidents, and gas explosions.

Suppose a company is responsible for such accidents. In that case, workers who suffer injuries can at least claim for damages like medical costs and loss of earnings with the help of an experienced construction accident lawyer. But of course, it is best to avoid accidents in the first place.

One of the most incredible ways of improving safety on construction sites is to train workers in the machinery they are using, the everyday hazards they need to be aware of, and other health and safety protocols and regulations.

Furthermore, that training should not just be carried out once. All workers on construction sites must regularly attend refresher training sessions throughout the year to ensure they still have vital health and safety knowledge and are aware of any new rules and practices. 

The more workers on a construction site are highly trained in safety awareness; the more accidents can be avoided.

2. Employ a Supervisor to Oversee Workers’ Health and Safety Regulations

Even when all construction workers are trained well in health and safety awareness and procedures, every construction site needs a supervisor who enforces safety standards without exception.

That means the supervisor needs to keep tabs on all workers throughout the day and intervene whenever an employee fails to follow the correct safety procedures. 

By having a supervisor continuously monitoring, the workers are much more likely to adhere to the correct safety procedures in the first place. 

Monitoring equipment (i.e. noise and dust monitor) can also help in improving the safety of a construction site. If you don't have these yet, you can do a quick Google search for a term like "monitoring equipment hire" and it should give you a list of companies where you can rent from.

3. Ensure All Equipment Is Correct and in Excellent Condition

Making sure construction site workers always have the proper equipment and are not using defective equipment is also paramount in ensuring workplace safety. 

When a construction worker is equipped with improper gear, it can lead to fatal errors.

And all machinery and equipment on a construction site must be well maintained and regularly checked to ensure it is in complete working order. In the event of damage or malfunction, prompt action is crucial to avoid project delays. One effective solution is to replace damaged heavy equipment parts with aftermarket alternatives. If defects are not spotted, they can again lead to severe or fatal injuries.

By making sure everything a construction worker uses is in tip-top condition, from the gloves they wear to the excavators they operate, construction companies can help reduce the number of accidents that occur onsite.

4. Clear Communication Leads to Better Safety Practices 

At the start of each workday, supervisors should communicate well with all construction workers about the day’s goals and activities. 

That not only means everyone knows what they should be doing and therefore the day will run more efficiently. It also means any safety concerns can be addressed and assessed ahead of time. 

For instance, if an employee has little experience in using a particular item of equipment that is potentially hazardous, supervisors can ensure another worker supervises until the employee gains enough confidence.

When everyone on a construction site is kept in the loop with clear and concise communication, all workers can perfectly do their jobs and ensure they understand and follow construction site safety procedures.