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importance of safety in construction industry

Construction industry is consider one of the most dangerous industries. So as a safety manager, it is your duty to keep the workers safe on work. Construction sector involves high risk due to its production processes and labor intensive characteristic and because of occupational accidents the sector brings up against financial loss in large scale. 

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A safe jobsite is one of the most important responsibilities of a construction project manager. Aside from the obvious ethical concerns of keeping workers injury-free, there are significant costs associated with an unsafe worksite. As a manager, you can make a real difference in this critical area.

Health and safety is one of the most important considerations you should take before any construction project gets underway. You should always make sure that all aspects of health and safety have been considered before you step foot on the construction site. Health and safety in construction are particularly important because the industry is prone to hazardous situations and can be dangerous at times.

Why is Construction Site Safety Important?

Construction industry is consider one of the most dangerous industries. So as a safety manager, it is your duty to keep the workers safe on work. Construction sector involves high risk due to its production processes and labor intensive characteristic and because of occupational accidents the sector brings up against financial loss in large scale. Major occupational accidents are defined as the cause of serious injuries and a long-term disability; minor occupational accidents are defined as the cause of insignificant injuries and short-term disability.

If you put good people in bad systems, you get bad results. You have to water the flowers you want to grow.

Some of the most common hazards in construction industry are:

  • Falls from height.
  • Falling objects.
  • Exposure to dangerous substances.
  • Dust inhalation.
  • Working in confined spaces.
  • Motor vehicle accidents.

Construction safety is also important due to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA). Under this act, workers in the U.S. have a right to a safe workplace. OSHA also requires employers to provide sufficient training, as well, to ensure worksite safety. Along with this comes the consequences of violating these laws — costly lawsuits, for example.

Safety isn’t Expensive, It’s Priceless.

NEVER Compromise with safety of your team

Safety Officer

1) Public Protection

Safety not only protect the workers on the site but it also protect the people passing nearby. Construction work normally perform in busy areas where genera public comes and goes all the time. Falling any object from height might cause highly damage them and put them in high danger.

2) Save Time & Money

Working safely doesn’t only saves the humans lives but also save your time and money from being blast during downtime. For injured workers, worker’s compensation claims can increase total operating costs. If the person injured is not part of the construction company, a lawsuit is likely. Keeping the construction site safe helps limit this risk, so your project can finish on time and budget. Other than this, damage in machines and other equipment can increase your overall budget.

3) Increase Compliance

Even if accidents do not occur, an unsafe workplace is a risk. OSHA and other regulatory agencies require specific standards of safety, both on the federal and state levels. If you do not adhere to these regulations, you are putting your company at risk because an unsafe work environment can lead to fines and penalties if your failures come to light. Following and exceeding current safety guidelines protects you against this genuine risk.

Safety on the construction site is vital to protecting workers, protecting the public, and keeping the job running on time. By creating a culture of safety in your company, you can protect yourself and your clients from these risks.

4) How Can You Manage Your Site Safely?

First of all as a site safety manager you must build a strong relationship with your workers. When you are managing the construction site, all your workers must hear you. They must understand that you are there to make their work safe and make them sure they go home safely after work. Workers safety must be priority of any firm regarding its size.

According to OSHA’s report “Recommended Practices for Safety & Health Programs in Construction,” management is responsible for providing the leadership and resources needed to implement effective safety and health programs.

The OSHA report says management leadership means that business owners, managers and supervisors:

  • Make worker safety and health a core organizational value.
  • Are fully committed to eliminating hazards, protecting workers, and continuously improving safety and health on job sites.
  • Provide sufficient resources to implement and maintain the safety and health program.
  • Visibly demonstrate and communicate their safety and health commitment to workers and others.
  • Set an example through their own actions.

5) Safety Officer Skills

Employees need to be led by someone who has an in-depth knowledge of the construction industry. Successful construction managers have the following skills:

  • Decision-making.
  • Problem-solving.
  • Leadership and supervising.
  • Planning and scheduling.
  • Cost estimating and analysis.
  • Understanding of OSHA and other legal practices.

Possessing these skills and this knowledge will prove to be useful in managing a profitable and successful firm or project as well as a safe work site for all employees.

Abacus International

Abacus International empowers organizations to protect the well-being of workers, reduce risk, improve productivity, enhance compliance, and drive measurable business improvement through its EHS, learning, occupational health, environmental, supply chain, sustainability and corporate social responsibility platforms. We are approved center of different internationally renowned bodies’ i.e. NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety & Health) UK, IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety & Health) UK, HABC (Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance) UK and ASHI (American Safety & Health Institute) USA to deliver and assess their accredited trainings.

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