Safety of construction site is one of the most neglected facts during a construction project. In many workstations, mishaps are a risk for the constructors and a headache for the site managers. But at construction sites, there might be some mishaps that can be too dangerous. Listening to daily news about earth-shattering explosions, climate disasters, trapped builders, construction sites become less attractive.
Let us see how you can ensure the safety of the construction site by following some steps and using some applications or equipment.
Introduce Strict Safety Measures
Regarding construction site safety, negligence of safety measures is never a valid excuse. Construction organizations and site managers are answerable for implementing strict safety measures. They should inform the constructors to follow the pre-defined rules. They must monitor processes during their shift, after leaving the construction site, and even before arriving at the location. The risk factor increases when organizations fail to train essential safety procedures for their managers and workers.
The following are some instances of how it can be possible.
1. Before Showing up at the Site
Constructors must get appropriate training and have passed some tests to ensure the safe execution of their jobs. Site managers must have received pre-arrival training regarding on-site safety risks.
2. During the Visit at the Site
Constructors should follow all safety of construction measures like using hardhats, following checklists and know all the restricted locations. They should follow the instructions of the site manager, who is responsible for site safety. Give reports about any unsafe situations to the site manager, construction supervisor, or project manager.
3. Before Leaving the Site
Builders must inform the safety officers or site manager regarding anything that might compromise the site safety, like uncovered wiring. Lock all the tools, equipment, machinery, and even the site perfectly before leaving.
Site Managers must follow the post-visit inspections like bag checking to ensure workers do not take any stuff from the site that could be risky. They must offer their detailed feedback regarding any safety loopholes they experience during the visit.
Do Personnel & Visitor Documentation by Using Applications
To mention worst-case scenarios and escape plans is one of the essential elements of a safety management system for the site. There might be any worst case of having some emergency that you have to tackle on the spot.
It is when you need the latest visitor management systems or apps. There are three common approaches an advanced VMS can enhance safety of construction in sites.
1. Immediate Calls During Evacuations
Mostly, people use visitor management systems on an iPad or any tablet. During any emergency, the supervisor of visitors on the site can carry this small gadget easily. Possibly, having a portable data storage of all visitors at the site is a clever approach. It permits easy group calls at the evacuation area.
2. Limited Access to Restricted Spots
Aside from communicating with constructors during emergency cases, a visitor management system must help in limiting entries to restricted site areas. By using job tags, site builders can easily guess if managers are available in those areas to ensure that they don’t have to be there at that time.
3. Safety Measures in Registration Process
The site managers require fixed time to explain the safety precautions on the site to visitors. These safety measures must be present in the form of digital agreements on VMS as well. Visitors can sign these contracts digitally to ensure that they have understood the on-site safety rules.
Use the Best Equipment
The equipment or tools you provide to your constructors can create the difference between life and death. Without any equipment, fatalities and injuries will be a significant risk at all construction sites. Construction companies can classify equipment into two categories that require close attention.
1. Job Equipment
These are the machinery and tools that constructors require to execute their jobs efficiently. Construction organizations must:
- Buy different equipment from the same trusted suppliers or manufacturers.
- Do regular investigation to ensure the top-notch condition of the equipment.
- Offer the best training to constructors regarding the use of different tools or machines.
- Conveniently repair or replace all damaged equipment.
- Set aside a budget for upgrading equipment with improved safety features.
- Instruct visitors not to interact with equipment unless receiving the go-signal by the manager. The equipment must be under the supervision of some operator.
Not following these safety precautions will cost the constructors safety, also put construction organizations at legal risk.
2. Personal Protective Equipment
Aside from getting the advanced and safest construction tools, companies must offer enough PPE to both inspectors and workers. There are some kinds of PPE that safety authorities need like, head protection, foot protection, face protection, hand protection, safety nets, respiratory protection, safety belts, safety gears for bodies. Companies must provide PPE to both visitors and constructors. Also, they must train their staff about the efficient use of these safety gears.
Final Verdict about safety of construction
A definitive objective of the construction business is to reduce work mishaps, injuries, and accidents. The fewer mishaps there are, the more well-known the construction business will be. The main expectation behind reducing accidents is to keep constructors alert regarding safety concerns. Train them regarding these issues, convey and talk about approaches to use for further development. Educate them to ensure the safety of the construction site as well.
Generally, constructors must have the best equipment, applications, appropriate management. So, they can use these to tackle some serious safety issues. There is no set of methods to lessen the number of mishaps to zero. However, following these site safety measures will assist you with clearing the path to get there.
