Health and safety are some of the key considerations you should look at before starting any construction project. Ensure that everything related to the safety of your construction workers is taken care of before they start working. In an industry prone to hazardous injuries and accidents, safety is a significant concern for construction workers.
Workers in a construction site are often subjected to a hazardous working environment, prone to accidents. The accidents often result in minor to severe, life-threatening injuries and sometimes even death. To avoid this, safety on construction sites is a must consideration.
The damage may become even worse if the accident happens in a public area. Thus, hurting motorists and pedestrians who are not working on the project. Below are the key benefits of ensuring safety on construction sites.
Safety on Construction Sites Protects Individuals
Construction site safety protocols will not only ensure your workers and the public are protected. Most construction projects are done in busy areas with hundreds of people moving around in the streets. Thus, well-executed safety protocols will ensure none of these passersby are injured, avoiding an accident altogether.
However, inadequate safety protocols may lead to dangerous objects such as construction materials and tools falling on innocent individuals. These people may be on their way to work or school. Such a scenario puts the people working on the project at an even higher risk of injury.
Before starting any work on the site, ensure you brief all the workers on the proper safety protocols. Don’t forget to insist that these protocols are also there to protect them from severe injuries.
It Reduces Workplace-Related Accidents
One of the most significant importance of construction site safety is that it reduces work-related accidents and injuries. According to OSHA, almost a quarter of all workplace-related deaths happen in the construction industry. It also estimates that more injuries happen in the construction industry than in any other industry in the U.S.
Construction site work-related accidents include slip and falls, being caught between construction equipment, electrocutions, and being hit by a falling object. These accidents are the most common cause of severe injuries and even death. Creating a culture that encourages safety is an essential factor in reducing these risks and the occurrence of an accident.
It Reduces the Time and Money Lost Handling the Accident
If an accident happens at a construction site that causes injury or even death, the project is put on hold. Depending on the severity of the accident, an investigation is conducted. Your workers can’t continue to work at the site while these investigations are underway.
Any construction site accident will drive up the cost of your entire project. Sometimes, the construction materials, supplies, and equipment may incur damage. Thus, you may need to buy new ones.
This will ultimately increase your overheads, making the project more expensive than initially stipulated. For the injured employee, worker’s compensation claims could increase your project’s total operational costs. Alternatively, you may be looking at a lawsuit if the injured party isn’t part of the construction project.
Ensure you come up with clear safety protocols. This will limit the risk of injury for both innocent bystanders and the construction workers. Thus, it will ensure your project is completed on time and within budget.
It Increases Worker’s Dedication to Safety and Ensures Compliance
Even if an accident doesn’t happen at the site, no one wants to work in an unsafe environment; it’s risky. Federal and state regulatory agencies such as OSHA require specific safety standards in all workplace environments, even construction sites. If your site isn’t compliant with these safety standards, you will be putting your business at risk.
An unsafe workplace environment could lead to penalties and fines on a state and federal level. This is a genuine risk that could lead to you losing your license or even lead your company to fail.
No client wants to work with a company that endangers their employees’ lives; clients can’t trust you. Following and surpassing current safety guidelines will protect your company against these risks.
It Gives You the Satisfaction of Getting Your Employees Home Safe
One of the biggest reasons for safety on construction sites is to get employees back to their families and loved ones safe. If people don’t take precautions, construction sites can be extremely dangerous environments. Some common construction site injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Eye injuries that could lead to vision impairment
- Death
- Electrocutions
- Broken bones
- Burns
Avoiding all the above injuries is worth taking the extra time and money to ensure everyone complies with safety standards. The best construction site is one where employees’ safety comes first. This gives you the satisfaction of ensuring everybody gets back to their families and loved ones safely at the end of the project.
It Gives You Credibility in the Construction Industry
Safety is one of the most significant selling points when looking for clients. This is one of the major things clients look for when considering a construction company for a project. No one wants to work with a company with a proven track record of injuries and fatalities.
Leveraging employee safety will create a better brand for your business out there. Everyone wants to work with a credible and reputable brand.
What to Do After a Construction Site Accident
If an accident occurs, ensure you contact a reputable construction site injury lawyer from Greenberg & Ruby, LLP to represent you. There are numerous complex liability issues related to construction site accidents. Thus, it’s essential to contact an attorney with experience in handling third-party injury claims too.
Now You Know the Importance of Safety on Construction Sites
With all the above benefits to focus on, ensure you look at your construction site to pinpoint areas that need improvement. Safety on construction sites is an essential aspect of getting the job completed on time and within budget. You can conduct regular bobcat training to ensure your employees understand and adhere to company policies and regulations.
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