Construction is notorious for being among the most dangerous industries to work in, along with agriculture. It was responsible for thirty-nine fatalities in the year 2020/2021, according to RIDDOR statistics – and over the three-year period leading up to then, more than 74,000 workers were suffering from work-related ill-health.
This not only has ethical consequences; it also means a significant loss of productivity. Anything we can do to reduce the frequency and impact of workplace accidents is therefore well worth doing. But exactly what action can we take to deal with this problem?
Organize the Workspace
A workspace that’s cluttered is vastly more likely to be a location for accidents to occur. Make sure that all tools are safely stowed and that there are dedicated storage facilities made for the purpose. A rolling tool chest can be a useful servant here – it can be easily moved to locations where work is taking place, increasing safety without imposing an undue cost.
Provide Proper Training
In many cases, it might be that workers are exposing themselves to unnecessary risk because they don’t realize that there’s another way of doing things. Workers might come to perceive health and safety practices as tiresome and unnecessary – unless they’re given the tools they need to spot risks and the education they need to draw a link between the risk and the potential consequences. Training might take the form of a dedicated course or of more general ongoing instruction.
Reporting Issues
Instilling a culture in which workers are encouraged to identify potential hazards and report them will reap dividends in the long term. You’ll be able to spot dangers and correct them before they have a chance to cause an accident. Moreover, you’ll be able to spot systemic issues that might require broader action to address. Workers on the site have a much closer perspective on what’s going on – and thus, asking for their viewpoint is vital if you want to really identify where the dangers are.
Correct Signage
Maintaining a culture of vigilance is only possible if everyone is regularly reminded of their responsibilities. The easiest way to do this is with the help of signage – which can provide a reminder that’s not intrusive in the same way as regular verbal instruction might be. Signs should be placed appropriately. If they are concerned with hazards that are confined to a given location, they should be placed in that location. For example, signs that deal with dangers that come from scaffolding should be placed near to scaffolding. You might place more general information in high-footfall areas, where they’ll be able to reach the greatest possible number of workers. Signs should be highly visible and hard-wearing.
