We have talked before about how construction company owners can take steps to ensure the safety of all employees, but in addition to this, it’s also worth thinking about the site that employees work on. A well-managed jobsite makes employees’ lives far easier and, most importantly of all, safer. Below, we have highlighted six fundamentals all construction companies should always ensure the following are in place at every site they work on…
#1 – Advisory labelling
Even with training, workers cannot identify any potential hazardous just by sight; training has to be reinforced with labels across the site. Any material or object that is potentially hazardous should be labelled as such; labels should be large, easy to read, and preferably bright in color. You can also provide advice on the label that indicates the correct course of action when handling the material (for example: “hazard – wear gloves”).
#2 – Effective waste management
If waste items and materials are able to accumulate, then they can pose significant danger to anyone who walks across the site, and even more so to those driving plant machinery. Waste should always be disposed of in a roll off dumpster or similar, purpose-built receptacle as soon as possible in order to keep the site clear and clutter-free.
#3 – Robust fencing
There are multiple reasons that fencing is a necessity on a construction site; workers may, for example, need to cordon an area off while potentially hazardous work is taking place, and fencing is also required to ensure the area cannot be accessed by unauthorized personnel. As well as erecting fencing to secure the site for the duration of the build, it’s also advisable to have temporary fencing and barricades available that can be used on an as-needed basis.
#4 – Fire extinguishers
Fire is always a major concern on any construction site, so fire extinguishers are absolutely critical. You’ll need to find the right type of fire extinguisher for the materials on your site (seek professional advice on this if unsure), and ensure that extinguishers can be accessed quickly – and that workers know how to use them – if needed.
#5 – Up-to-date first aid supplies
It is an unfortunate fact that, when it comes to construction sites, there will always be the potential for risk and injury. You can, of course, minimize this risk to a significant extent, but it can never be completely eradicated, so it’s vital to ensure an appropriate first aid kit (or kits, for larger sites) are available, and that they are restocked whenever any items are used.
#6 – An accident book
Finally, when accidents do occur, staff members need to be able to write down all of the details of the incident, so keep an accident book at every site. You can use the information provided in this book to help strategize ways to help devise measures that will prevent the same accident from occurring again in the future.
Employee safety extends far beyond the employees themselves, so focusing on ensuring your jobsites are as safe as possible will always be a vital consideration for any construction company owner.
