Safety procedures are essential for any construction project, as they can prevent accidents, injuries, and legal issues. However, ensuring that everyone follows them can be challenging, especially in complex or dynamic situations. In this article, you will learn some practical tips on how to ensure safety procedures are followed in your construction site.
Before you start any construction work, you need to identify and evaluate the potential hazards that could affect your workers, equipment, and environment. You can use a risk assessment tool, such as the Hierarchy of Controls, to prioritize the most effective ways to eliminate or reduce the risks. For example, you can use engineering controls, such as guardrails or ventilation systems, to prevent exposure to falls or dust. You can also use administrative controls, such as training or signage, to inform and instruct your workers on how to avoid or handle the risks. Finally, you can use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as helmets or gloves, to protect your workers from the remaining risks.
Once you have established the safety procedures for your construction site, you need to communicate them clearly and consistently to your workers, subcontractors, and visitors. You can use various methods, such as meetings, posters, manuals, or videos, to explain the procedures and their importance. You should also provide feedback and reminders to reinforce the procedures and correct any deviations. Moreover, you should encourage your workers to communicate with each other and report any unsafe conditions or incidents that may occur.
Communication alone is not enough to ensure safety procedures are followed. You also need to provide adequate training to your workers, so that they have the skills and knowledge to perform their tasks safely and efficiently. You should design your training program according to the specific needs and characteristics of your construction site, such as the type of work, the equipment, the regulations, and the hazards. You should also update your training program regularly, to reflect any changes or improvements in the procedures. Additionally, you should evaluate your workers' performance and competence, and provide them with feedback and recognition.
Another key aspect of ensuring safety procedures are followed is to monitor and enforce them regularly and systematically. You can use various tools, such as inspections, audits, checklists, or cameras, to observe and record the compliance and non-compliance of the procedures. You should also use incentives and sanctions, such as rewards, penalties, or disciplinary actions, to motivate and deter your workers from following or violating the procedures. Furthermore, you should involve your workers in the monitoring and enforcement process, by empowering them to participate in safety committees, surveys, or suggestions.
Buy-in from upper management is critical in fostering a healthy and robust safety culture. Without their support, enforcing policy and procedure is very challenging. However, the professionals in the field know their stuff. Be patient, inquisitive, and open to their experiences and input. You just might learn something. Everything centers around trust and communication. We all want to go home safely to our families every day, and it takes a solid team to make that happen. I am adamant in identifying hazards, sharing lessons learned, and team input. Sometimes, enforcement is inevitable, but can also be a teaching opportunity. Never stop listening, learning, growing and inspiring others to embrace a solid safety culture. It lasts a lifetime.
We did a confined space entry to a cistern tank and even though we planned everything out we still had issues with equipment set up and PPE. Knowing that the a Hazard Assessment or Field Hazard Assessment is an ever evolving document that can be changed and updated as the job progress is crucial in catching hazards that could potentially lead to losses. I did an (LPO) which is our Loss Prevention observation system and found ways to improve everything that poses a danger. None of this would have been possible if our safety culture was lacking. Taking ownership of your tasks and looking out for the guy next to you is why I have a passion for safety.
Finally, you should review and improve your safety procedures periodically, to ensure that they are effective and relevant. You can use various sources of information, such as data, reports, feedback, or best practices, to analyze and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your procedures. You should also use continuous improvement methods, such as Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) or Kaizen, to identify and implement opportunities for improvement. Moreover, you should communicate and celebrate the results and benefits of your improvement efforts, to foster a positive and proactive safety culture.