6 Tips Contractors Should Keep in Mind to Stay Safe at the Job Site

Construction work is a risky business. Besides having a high business failure rate, it’s also one of the most dangerous industries out there to work in. In fact, about 20% of the work-related deaths in the United States occurred in the construction industry. This is why it’s important to consult an affordable contractors’ insurance team before you start any construction work. With that said, here are 6 tips contractors can use to stay safe when on a construction site.

1. Make Safety a Priority

Supervisors, contractors, and owners need to make safety a priority within the company culture. When accident prevention and compliance tactics are part of your daily work routine, every member becomes more involved in safe worksite practices. The success of any safety program relies on constant interactions with employees, whether these interactions occur through physical communication channels, via two-way radios secured through radio hire, or even through cloud-based communication software.

2. Conduct Jobsite Safety Training

Once you have a proper safety plan, the best way to avoid mishaps is by conducting job site safety training. It is especially crucial to train new contractors or those who’ve never worked on a construction site before. Similarly, veteran contractors should also go through regular safety exercises to help reinforce the cause.

3. Regular Equipment Maintenance

Worn-out, old tools and equipment can break or malfunction and then cause a workplace injury. New, ergonomic equipment usually has two-fold advantages. Modern tools can help enhance productivity as well as reduce the strain on the body that’s known to lead to certain muscle-based injuries. Also, proper maintenance of tools considerably reduces the chances of malfunction, thereby minimizing the probability of an accident. This is especially important when it comes to larger and more technical pieces of equipment found on larger complexes. This is because they are often composed of a wide range of parts, and must be monitored more closely than a handheld tool. For example, if you work a lot with metal materials, then learning the importance of MAINTAINING BLAST ABRASIVE EQUIPMENT can be imperative for saving money and preventing mass shutdowns.

4. Maintain Open Communication Lines

After evaluating a construction site for potential hazards, provide the organization or company with all the necessary information so that both company contractors and stakeholders know of all the potentially adverse conditions. Modern construction technology, including construction management software and smart devices, helps simplify real-time communication between HQ and the construction site.

5. Use Clear Signage

You should clearly display the site instructions throughout the construction site, including the directions or a map of the site and emergency contacts. Why? Because this will ensure everyone has easy access to all the safety protocols in place. This signage should also highlight other essential information like construction site amenities, entry and exit points, etc.

6. Use Insurance Providers

Construction companies typically carry a wider array of insurance coverages to help protect themselves from any financial losses in the event of an accident or mishap. The insurance service providers usually have vested interests in reducing insurance claims, and they can sometimes offer recommendations and tools to reduce construction site risk.

Most insurance companies also have software platforms with tools to both report and record safety incidents.

Final Words

Construction sites are normally dangerous places to work. But there are certain things you can do to help ensure you are safe when working at the site. Keeping the job site safe is one of the best ways to ensure workers don’t get hurt on the job. Hopefully, the 6 tips above are all you’ll ever need to stay safe at the worksite.