Workplace fatalities are on the rise as the demand for construction projects climbs. Now is the time to shore up your safety processes and procedures to keep on-the-job injuries low. Here are four strategies to improve safety for new hires.
Safety Orientation Sessions
To reduce on-the-job injuries, it is important to hold safety orientation sessions for all new hires, including full-time employees, part-time employees, and temporary employees. The safety orientation should overview company polices and expectations for work rules and conduct. The orientation should identify the full range of workplace hazards and discuss strategies to minimize risks. Trainees should be tested to ensure they can identify common and uncommon risks associated with construction projects.
Buddy System
A buddy system will also improve worker safety. During orientation, assign each new hire an experienced employee to serve as a safety mentor. For the first month, the mentor should supervise and guide their buddy and help them understand how to perform their responsibilities safely. After the first month, the mentor should evaluate the new hire’s progress and verify that the new hire is ready to safely work independently. If they aren’t ready after the first month, continue the buddy system until they prove themselves.
Pocket Safety Guides
Another way to improve safety is to create pocket guides for your new hires. Every task that a new hire could be assigned should have its own safety guide. You should make it a requirement that employees keep their safety guides on them at all times. Employees should be required to orally explain the safe way to complete each of the tasks associated with their position upon request.
Color-Coded Badges
Color-coded badges are another great idea. The badges should identify each employee’s level of training and what equipment they have the certifications to operate. Using a color-coded system makes the badges easy for your team members to read and easy for others to identify. Every worker on a given project should have a badge, even if they are subcontractors. These badges will ensure that workers are assigned tasks they have the ability to complete safely.
Although construction fatalities are rising in part from the increasing demand of construction projects, there are steps you can take to keep your new hires safe on the job. Safety orientations, a buddy system, safety pocket guides, and color-coded badges can all help reduce the number of on-the-job injuries during construction jobs.
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