Construction sites can be dangerous places where accidents can happen at any moment. Your workers move heavy materials, operate machinery, and can potentially come in contact with elements that can cause injury or worse.
While accidents can — and do — happen, you can take steps to reduce their likelihood and minimize their impact. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers a litany of support materials and suggestions for managing safety, but real change comes from your company culture. You’ve got to make safety part of the work environment.
Safety’s a big topic. Where does someone start?
Creating a safety culture within a construction company that prioritizes the safety of all workers on job sites is crucial for your company’s success.
Undoubtedly, wearing safety equipment like hard hats, boots, and gloves is a start in the right direction, but you’ll discover there’s more to averting risk and keeping your employees safe. These tips for building a safety culture within a construction company can get you started:
- Create safety policies: Begin by developing comprehensive safety policies that you can communicate across multiple channels to all employees. Review your policies regularly and update them to ensure they are current with best industry practices.
- Safety training: Have all workers on a construction site undergo thorough safety training before starting any work. Ensure that the training includes instruction on how to use safety equipment, identify and mitigate hazards, and respond in case of an emergency.
- Identify and mitigate safety hazards: Conduct regular inspections of job sites to identify and mitigate safety hazards. Additionally, you should ensure that all equipment is properly maintained and functioning, all workers are using safety equipment, and that potential risks are addressed before work begins.
- Lead by example: You and your company leaders should lead by example and prioritize safety in all aspects of your work. Provide workers with the necessary safety equipment, follow safety protocols, and take immediate action if someone identifies a safety hazard.
- Encourage worker participation: Encourage everyone on your teams to report safety hazards and suggest ways to improve safety on job sites. This participation creates a culture of safety where everyone is responsible for their safety and the safety of their colleagues.
- Provide ongoing safety training: Establish ongoing safety training for workers to ensure they are well-versed with current safety protocols and practices. Offer the training regularly and tailor it to specific job roles and tasks.
- Regular safety meetings: Hold regular safety meetings to discuss safety issues and reinforce safety policies. Make these meetings open to all workers and encourage worker participation. Some construction companies, like McCarthy, have added safety to the dashboards.
Days Accident-Free
If you’re tired of seeing the zero on your “Days Accident-Free” sign, it’s time to change your company culture to one focused on safety.
Creating a safety culture within a construction company requires a commitment to safety from company leaders, comprehensive safety policies, ongoing safety training, regular safety meetings, and identifying and mitigating safety hazards on job sites.
By prioritizing safety, you will ensure the safety of your workers and create a safe and productive work environment.
Want to hire someone that will work safely and be effective in the role? Contact us today.
