The most important thing about your job are those men and women working on site. Their protection is everyone’s obligation, and it’s time to take that seriously. A safer work environment often means a more efficient work site and lower injury expenses, so it is not only in the best interest of your workers, but it is in the best interest of the business to take extra precautions to have a safer work environment. Read below to see how you can maintain a safer work environment.
Use Protective Equipment
This is a no brainer, but it’s important to always consider. The work you are doing on a construction site requires many types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Everyone should be using the proper PPE to avoid and reduce any injuries. Hard hats, sturdy boots, earplugs, and gloves should be considered for all contracting jobs, but some jobs require specialized protective gear.
If you are cutting or shaping a lot of material, masks to filter out particles from material cutting and safety glasses would be essential. If you are welding on site, there needs to be a special visor to protect the welder’s vision and heat resistant gear. If a worker is working on something up high, there should be fall protection equipment. Carefully analyze what the different aspects of the job are, and provide the protective gear necessary.
Set Protocols
Protocols are there to protect everyone. It is your job to set proper safety regulations and inform everyone what these protocols are. It is also your job to enforce these protocols and regulations. There are several safety regulations that should be in place, and they might vary from job to job, but it is best if you have a basic set of protocols that remain the same no matter the situation. This will help your workers stay safe and protect others. Protocols also include organization practices, such as cord management, inventory management, and machine management.
Rent a Dumpster
One of the protocols that should be in place is how to handle waste on the job site. Waste in the workplace can be extremely dangerous if not disposed of properly. They will get in the way of your work, cause tripping and other hazards, and may even be toxic for the environment and your workers.
Renting a dumpster gives you an easy solution to this problem and is an essential to promoting safety on a worksite. You will have a place for all the waste and a way to dispose of it properly. Do some research about what size will work best for the job and you’ll be able to save money.
Use Bottom Dump Hoppers
Having an efficient job site helps improve the safety of that site dramatically. Bottom dump hoppers are the perfect solution for creating efficiency. Bottom dump hoppers help in transporting materials more efficiently.
Also, bottom dump hoppers increase safety on your work site by minimizing trash. Sometimes it simply isn’t convenient enough to only rent a dumpster because you can’t get it close enough to the site. A dump hopper solves that problem—you can bring it closer to your site, fill it up, and steer it away to be dumped in the dumpster.
Communicate Well
Communication is necessary for safety in any job, but it is especially important in contracting. Because of the nature of the job, miscommunication can result in dangerous injuries. There are several ways to relay information more clearly, but here are some important tips for across the board:
- Avoid jargon
- Speak clearly
- Listen actively
- Ask questions
- Clarify frequently
- Be respectful
Communication is not limited to words. When you have to draw out plans, draw neatly. When you have to give signals, make those signals obvious. Consider creating clear chains of command so that everyone knows who to go to first to ask questions. When you have to communicate the same thing with multiple people, make sure it is consistent each time you explain.
Get the Right Equipment
Having the proper equipment is key to making sure everyone is safe. if something goes wrong with your equipment, someone will get hurt. Using heavy equipment is particularly risky. It’s important to know the safety features so you can avoid accidents.
The equipment you use to keep everyone safe isn’t limited to the equipment that you use to do specific jobs. It includes the safety equipment such as hard hats and gloves, the equipment you use to communicate such as radios, and everything that you use on site to help run an efficient site. Remember that sometimes it’s worth the more expensive equipment to help keep everyone safe.
Create Safety Plans
Do you and others you work with know what to do when someone gets injured on the job? How about if there is a natural disaster? Maybe it seems a little out there to plan for if there is an earthquake on the job, but the more prepared you are for anything, the safer everyone will be.
Safety plans could include but are not limited to: first aid and emergency response, natural disaster plan, fall response, and regular hazard inspections.
Train Your Workers
There is a lot of training that needs to take place in contracting. There are specialized skills that your workers need to know to do their job well. In training them to do these skills well, this helps protect them. As you train your workers on specific contracting skills, don’t forget to train everyone on site on these safety measures. If someone doesn’t understand the safety procedures, the equipment, or how to communicate best with those around them, they will be endangering themselves and others.
When you train, keep the training consistent across the board. Remember to conduct regular training meetings and consider instituting a safety committee who can help you keep track of training. It is helpful to reinforce training by posting reminders throughout the workplace
Having a safe work environment not only helps you stay in line with OSHA requirements, but it will help your employees be happier. Showing them that their safety comes first is paramount. You owe it to their families and yours.
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