Best Construction Practices: 7 Elevating Work Platform Safety Tips | Statistically, jobs in construction are some of the most common places for workplace accidents. Dangerous tools, hefty machinery, and extreme temperatures are part of what makes jobs in this industry so dangerous.
However, one of the top most dangerous jobs in construction? Roofing. Heights are to blame for the higher risk of injuries and fatalities associated with this job.
The truth is, safety should continue to remain a priority in any job of any industry. But in an industry as dangerous as construction, how does one ensure their employees remain safe and sound on the job? Find out how to elevate work platform safety with the tips below.
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Make it clear to your crew that safety is the most important.
It’s not fair to prioritize deadlines and put health and safety last on the list of importance. However, some employees may presume that their employer has that expectation set in place. That said, make it known to your crew that your priority is that they remain safe while at work and don’t involve themselves in high-risk situations. Make sure that they take note of things like asset labels and tags when it comes to handling potentially dangerous equipment so that they know to be extra careful when doing so.
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Give examples of what is safe and what is not.
It’s not enough to reiterate to your staff that safety is important. You have to provide examples of what it means to be safe on the job, especially when they’re working on top of buildings or other structures. Give specifics about what to do and what not to do in certain scenarios.
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Provide quality safety training.
Informal talks about safety aren’t the only thing you should have with your construction crew. By continuously providing quality safety training, you can better ensure your staff will remain safe on the job.
Especially if your crew members are required to have high risk licenses to partake in some of their job duties, this makes proper, frequent training even more important than ever before.
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Reward your employees who are abiding by the proper safety measures.
One of the best ways to ensure your staff not only start engaging in the right safety measures but continue to stay safe at work is to reward them. Rewards don’t have to be physical like a monetary bonus or free lunch; they can be simple, verbal phrases. Your other staff will catch onto this reward system and want a piece of it too.
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Frequently inspect each jobsite.
You’re the facilitator and leader of your team. While they do most of the dirty work, it’s still vital that you oversee what they’re doing and how they do it. Even with an experienced, long-time crew, you may notice someone on your team engaging in unsafe practices.
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Correct the staff who are engaging in unsafe practices.
Is one of your crew members wearing inappropriate shoes while working on a rooftop or standing on a ladder incorrectly? Don’t let it slide and “let them deal with the consequences;” step it and correct them before things escalate. Their injury could leave you with money out of pocket.
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Provide feedback to your staff as a whole.
When you notice one member of your crew doing something unsafe at work, not only correct them individually, but talk to your entire crew about that mistake (without mentioning who made it) with the goal to ensure the rest of your staff don’t engage in the same risk.
Conclusion
Construction might not be the safest industry to work in. However, when the right safety measures are taken, staff are more likely to only get away with minor injuries here and there rather than serious, debilitating injuries or even death.
Even if you already have safe and careful employees, it’s important to continue encouraging safety among your crew quite often. From providing the right training to carefully inspecting each jobsite, it’s very much possible to elevate work safety among your team.
