How to Ensure Construction Workplace Safety

June 7, 2022

According to the National Safety Council, construction is the most dangerous industry based on the number of worksite deaths every year. The high injury rate worsens this tragic fact. If you’re a supervisor or other stakeholder, you might be wondering: What are the best safety practices in the construction industry? What ensures the safety of the construction workers, and how can these policies be effectively implemented? The construction industry has made much progress in the safety department, but you can make your worksite safer with the following four tips.

Implement Common Sense Prevention

Unfortunately, many accidents on the construction worksite can be prevented simply by implementing common-sense practices. Wearing personal protective equipment can have a significant impact on injury and fatality rates, for example — yet according to research conducted by OSHA, statistics reveal that only 16% of construction professionals who suffer head injuries were wearing hard hats. This figure represents a failure of supervisors to implement and enforce safety protocol.

Create a Safe Workplace Environment

Enforcing safety rules isn’t the only way to implement safer working conditions in the construction industry. Creating a safe workplace requires that your staff feel comfortable coming to you with concerns. Many accidents happen due to a risk that somebody noticed and chose to ignore. You need to encourage your workers to come to you with any issues regarding safety and make it clear that you have an open-door policy on any safety-related matter. Ignoring a worker’s complaint can be a significant professional liability, but more importantly, it could cause an injury or even death.

Prevent Illnesses in the Workplace

Many safety supervisors on a construction site mistakenly believe that injuries are the only risk facing their crew. On the contrary, illnesses can be just as dangerous. If COVID-19 taught us anything, it should be an awareness of the importance of essential illness prevention. Remember that sick employees will miss work, and when your staff misses work, you have fewer workers. Fewer workers can cause your crew to be stretched thin, which can be a significant threat to the safety of everybody on site. Make hand sanitizer and face masks readily available to your workers.

Don’t Overlook Mental Health Concerns

Mental health is yet another primary concern that’s overlooked too often. Construction workers often face incredibly stressful conditions. Deadlines, potential injuries, and other factors can make their working conditions difficult. These factors can also contribute to increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation rates. It’s vital that you connect your crew with mental health resources that can help them deal with these issues so that they can work safely. ◼