Implementing the Best Safety Practices in Construction Sites

Data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that approximately 20% of workplace deaths in the United States occur within the construction industry. And these tragic accidents are often the result of poorly implemented safety practices. Even if there isn’t loss of life, these incidents bring construction to a halt, put your workers at risk, and result in lost revenue. However, by following the best safety practices in construction, your operations can continue to run smoothly without injuring workers, delaying projects, or increasing project costs.

The following article highlights the best safety practices in construction that, when implemented, protect workers and visitors that are on the project site.

The Importance of Construction Site Safety

Job site safety is essential to the construction process, allowing workers to carry out their daily tasks without fear of preventable injuries. Accidents are more likely to occur without the implementation of proper safety measures, something which can also negatively impact your team and disrupt the efficiency of construction work. On the other hand, following the best safety practices in construction sites can reduce potential hazards and provide the following benefits:

Ensure worker safety: At the end of the day, protecting your workers is the most important reason to implement safety rules within a construction space. Safe work conditions help retain the talented employees that make projects possible.
Quicker project completion: Safe construction sites increase worker efficiency and speed up construction. When fewer accidents occur, construction isn’t halted, and more workers can continue contributing to the final project.
Reduce costs: Having a safe construction site is an investment that can have significant payoffs. Less onsite accidents improve your overall EMR (Experience Modification Rate), resulting in lower construction insurance rates and increased savings.
Improve reputation: Building contractors that are consistently safe develop a positive reputation within the construction industry. It shows that you care for your employees, your workers are competent, and you run a professional construction operation. This, in turn, attracts business and potential workers.

Construction safety is vital for maintaining an efficient workflow operation while undergoing a building project. Learn what a solid safety program looks like for a well-oiled construction company.

Construction Safety Program

Common Hazards and Construction Safety Tips

It’s practically impossible to eliminate all safety hazards on the job site, as workers are constantly operating heavy machinery and navigating dangerous heights. However, a better understanding of these obstacles can help reduce the risk of injury and strengthen overall safety.

Here are some of the most commonly experienced hazards on job sites and construction safety tips to avoid them.

Falling
Fall-related injuries occur throughout many occupations, but they are especially frequent in construction, accounting for nearly 35.35 of workplace deaths within the industry. Slips, trips, and falls from lethal heights can be prevented by utilizing fall protection equipment wherever these incidents could occur. This includes but is not limited to runways, excavations, large holes, ramps, ledges, floor openings, lifts, ladders, scaffolding, and more. As the leading cause of construction accidents, preventing avoidable falls should be your top safety priority.
Electrocution
Faulty electrical equipment and mishandling of such equipment can lead to severe injury or even death, and unfortunately, the construction industry is often exposed to this threat. These injuries occur when workers come in contact with live electrical equipment or wiring, such as control panels, circuit breakers, light fixtures, transformers, and more. It can also happen when workers are unaware of the exact location of buried power lines and cut into them by mistake. These mistakes can be prevented with proper site and equipment inspections and practicing caution when interacting with items that conduct electricity.
Noise Exposure
Construction sites can reach high sound decibels due to all the ongoing machinery and electrical equipment, which can damage hearing over prolonged periods. Thankfully, this can easily be prevented by wearing proper OSHA-approved hearing protection. This can protect workers from headaches and reduce strain on their hearing.
Being Crushed, Hit, or Pinched
One of the most prominent safety concerns on a construction site is being crushed, hit, or pinched in some way that hinders a worker’s ability to function. This includes being crushed or injured by heavy machinery and motor vehicles, smashing or cutting their limbs with electrical tools, or getting caught in materials and equipment, leading to further injury. The best way to prevent these types of incidents is to implement proper handling of such equipment using the best safety practices in construction under OSHA standards.
Extreme Heat
Construction site temperatures can fluctuate depending on the geographic location and time of year, but other factors also play a role, such as clothing and physical exertion. Overexposure to high temperatures can cause heat stroke, heat exposure, heat cramps, and the inability to continue working. Keeping cool with regular breaks from the sun and staying hydrated reduces the chance of a heat-related injury.

Four of the Best Safety Practices in Construction

Aside from navigating specific hazards on a job site, there are essential best safety practices in construction that should be implemented on every project, such as the following:

Ensure Workers Wear PPE

Every worker or personnel visiting a construction project site work area must wear personal protective equipment, or “PPE,” regardless of the time spent or actions performed there. This includes visible vests, hard hats, steel-toed boots, thick gloves, and safety glasses or goggles. This ensures that they are—at the very least—somewhat protected against hazards like falling debris, sawdust, and moving vehicles.
Maintain an Organized Job Site

A messy job site presents more opportunities for workers to injure themselves by tripping over equipment, slipping on loose dust or gravel, or stepping on dropped nails. Consistently inspecting, organizing, and cleaning a worksite daily is the best way to prevent unnecessary accidents that could incapacitate workers.
Implement Proper Safety Training

A work zone is only as safe as your workers, so proper safety training is crucial. Training workers on the best safety practices in construction—including being aware of their surroundings, how to handle equipment, what to do in case of an emergency, and so on—helps keep them and their workspace safe.
Utilize Safeguards

Setting up safeguards, such as barriers, barricades, and caution tape, keeps workers and visitors from aimlessly wandering into hazardous areas. This might include fencing off a section of a commercial building that is in progress and susceptible to falling materials and tools or even high-traffic areas where motor vehicles are frequently used.

Connor Construction Uses the Best Safety Practices in Construction

If you’re looking for a general contractor for commercial construction that prioritizes worker and partner safety, consider partnering with Connor Construction. Our safety-first approach utilizes the best safety practices in construction, including project site evaluations, protective equipment, OSHA training for workers, and extensive pre-planning. These precautions create peace of mind for our workers by knowing they are safe and secure on the job site, allowing them to work efficiently and meet deadlines with few to no incidents.

Our team is dedicated to maintaining a safe and responsible work environment for our clients and employees. Contact us today to learn more about our safety practices and how they can benefit your next commercial project.

Implementing the Best Safety Practices in Construction Sites

The Importance of Construction Site Safety

Common Hazards and Construction Safety Tips

Falling

Electrocution

Noise Exposure

Being Crushed, Hit, or Pinched

Extreme Heat

Four of the Best Safety Practices in Construction

Ensure Workers Wear PPE

Maintain an Organized Job Site

Implement Proper Safety Training

Utilize Safeguards

Connor Construction Uses the Best Safety Practices in Construction

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