7 Tips For Improving Health and Safety at Work

Safety should not be taken lightly.  There are many reasons why having a safe construction site is important.  However, if you are running a site you need to know what makes your site safe and how to implement them.

Communication

Having communication plans and techniques is the first step to construction safety.  This communication allows you to alert everyone on the site to potential hazards and to inform them about safety procedures.  It is recommended that you create a single page safety outline which explains the safety rules of your site and who is in charge.  You should also ensure that everyone who comes on site has to check in so they can be briefed on the safety guidelines to ensure everyone is aware of them.

Organization And Planning

The safety for your project will begin long before you reach the site.  Planning your project site correctly allows you to organize it in such a way that everything is neat and safe.  When you plan the site you should note where materials will be stored, where your safe rally points are and who people should contact in emergencies.  This will make up your logistical plan which needs to be posted on the site and followed.

Training

There is nothing that works better than properly training any contractors on the site in site supervisor safety procedures and training.  It is impossible for you to expect a contractor to come on site and work safely if you have not advised them of the safety procedures.  There are thousands of resources available that you can use to train your staff properly and you can find third-party vendors who are able to provide the training for you.

Personal Protective Equipment

A good way to help keep safety on the mind is to ensure workers always wear proper safety equipment.  When someone walks onto a site where everyone is wearing reflective vests, hard hats and safety glasses it will remind them that they should also be wearing the protective clothing.  You should make it a requirement that anyone on the sites needs to wear protective equipment.

Change The Question

When it comes to safety most people will ask if they can do something without getting hurt.  This often leads to risks that compromise the safety of the entire site.  To make the site safer ensure you contractors are all asking themselves a different question.  One of the best questions you can use is to ask if they would let their child do what they are about to.

Morning Meetings

Morning meeting is a great way to manage the safety of a site.  Not only will these meetings help you keep contractors safe, they also give you the chance to run a more productive site.  The morning meeting should be a quick briefing where you point out any safety concerns, go over what is planned for the day and address any issues that people have. 

Clear Signage And Posters

Having posters and signage around the site highlighting safety procedures is a great idea that ties in with many other aspects of site safety.  Proper site communication includes notification of hazards so be sure to sign post any areas that could be classed as hazards. Basic warning sites are important, but you should also consider site-specific signs that would actually help your site safety.