Construction work can be dangerous when safety precautions aren’t properly implemented. In fact, construction contractors are at high risk for accidents due to the many moving parts on site. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are six common violations in construction that can cost contractors up to $136,000 per violation!
Accidents happen, but they’re all preventable with the right precautions.
Here are the six most common construction tips and how you can avoid violations by following them.
Always Inspect Equipment Properly
The first common violation is failure to properly inspect equipment. This can lead to serious accidents and injuries on site.
To avoid this type of violation, contractors should regularly inspect all equipment and make sure it is in proper working condition.
Scaffolding is one piece of equipment that is often not properly vetted. Workers can be seriously injured with scaffolding that is poorly constructed or not in proper working condition.
- Be sure to always check the condition of scaffolding before allowing anyone to use it.
- It’s a good idea to partner with a vendor who knows what they’re doing when it comes to properly assembling scaffolding.
- Design plans should include full and complete information like where and how rails are installed to prevent workers from falling off the side.
- Red-tagging equipment that is deemed unsafe can also keep your team safe.
Always Inspect Equipment Properly
The first common violation is failure to properly inspect equipment. This can lead to serious accidents and injuries on site.
To avoid this type of violation, contractors should regularly inspect all equipment and make sure it is in proper working condition.
Scaffolding is one piece of equipment that is often not properly vetted. Workers can be seriously injured with scaffolding that is poorly constructed or not in proper working condition.
- Be sure to always check the condition of scaffolding before allowing anyone to use it.
- It’s a good idea to partner with a vendor who knows what they’re doing when it comes to properly assembling scaffolding.
- Design plans should include full and complete information like where and how rails are installed to prevent workers from falling off the side.
- Red-tagging equipment that is deemed unsafe can also keep your team safe.
Follow Safety Protocols
The second common violation is failure to follow safety protocols. This can include things like not wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), not following traffic control procedures, etc.
To avoid these types of issues, contractors should make sure all employees are properly trained in safety protocols and that they are followed at all times.
For example, respiratory protection can be absolutely necessary when the job site results in harmful pollutants. Toxic dust can make its way into your lungs and cause major damage. To keep your team safe, you don’t want to skimp on the established safety protocols.
- Proper safety training is critically important.
- Identifying and noting where toxins may be released during construction is equally crucial to keep your team safe.
- If your team knows better, they can do better. Review the safety protocols with your team on a regular basis to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Follow Safety Protocols
The second common violation is failure to follow safety protocols. This can include things like not wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), not following traffic control procedures, etc.
To avoid these types of issues, contractors should make sure all employees are properly trained in safety protocols and that they are followed at all times.
For example, respiratory protection can be absolutely necessary when the job site results in harmful pollutants. Toxic dust can make its way into your lungs and cause major damage. To keep your team safe, you don’t want to skimp on the established safety protocols.
- Proper safety training is critically important.
- Identifying and noting where toxins may be released during construction is equally crucial to keep your team safe.
- If your team knows better, they can do better. Review the safety protocols with your team on a regular basis to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Provide Proper Safety Training
The third common violation is the failure to provide proper safety training for employees. Employees should be properly trained in how to use equipment and how to work safely on the construction site.
Safety training also includes the correct way to wear PPE and how to deal with hazardous materials situations.
To avoid violations, contractors should make sure all employees receive proper safety training before they start work on the construction site. Good safety training includes how to identify damaged PPE or recognize if it does not fit properly.
One way to ensure that everyone is on the same page is to have a morning safety meeting. During this type of meeting, you can review the day’s tasks and what needs to be accomplished while also highlighting safety concerns, and any changes on site.
Another good idea is to ensure that all hazardous chemicals are labeled. If labels are not present or you are unsure about how to label chemicals, information should be found on the MSDS (material safety data sheet).
Provide Proper Safety Training
The third common violation is the failure to provide proper safety training for employees. Employees should be properly trained in how to use equipment and how to work safely on the construction site.
Safety training also includes the correct way to wear PPE and how to deal with hazardous materials situations.
To avoid violations, contractors should make sure all employees receive proper safety training before they start work on the construction site. Good safety training includes how to identify damaged PPE or recognize if it does not fit properly.
One way to ensure that everyone is on the same page is to have a morning safety meeting. During this type of meeting, you can review the day’s tasks and what needs to be accomplished while also highlighting safety concerns, and any changes on site.
Another good idea is to ensure that all hazardous chemicals are labeled. If labels are not present or you are unsure about how to label chemicals, information should be found on the MSDS (material safety data sheet).
Maintain a Safe Workspace
Maintain a Safe Workspace
The next common violation is failure to maintain a safe workspace. This can include things like cluttered work areas, trip hazards, and more.
To avoid violations, contractors should make sure the worksite is clean and organized at all times.
Falls are especially common and, unfortunately, is a common occurrence on construction sites. For example, if a worker is not properly secured to prevent falling, there is the possibility for serious injury. You’ll see falls happen more often when work is completed at six feet or higher. Holes, walkways, and rooftops are all places where a construction crew can fall.
Fall protection planning should be a part of regular pre-planning protocols in order to maintain a safe workspace. Review safety measures and ensure your team has the right equipment.
Report Accidents and Injuries
Report Accidents and Injuries
Another common violation is failure to report accidents and injuries. This type of failure can delay treatment for employees and put them at risk for further injury.
To avoid this type of violation, contractors should make sure all accidents and injuries are reported immediately so that employees can receive the proper medical attention.
As an example, consider a scenario where a team is using ladders:
- Ladders are not multi-purpose tools, and the crew typically knows that. However, many times, workers will try to use a single ladder for different reasons. When they do this, they’re at greater risk of an accident or an injury.
- Poor choices can lead to non-reporting of injuries. Unfortunately, the crew member isn’t always straightforward about the accident when they didn’t use the equipment correctly.
To increase the likelihood of injury reporting, ensure that the right equipment is always available. If your team has the right tools for the job, they’re less likely to have accidents or injuries that they won’t report.
At the end of the day, it’s important to have a debriefing with your team. Review what happened during the day and if there were any accidents or injuries. This is also a good time to review safety protocols and make sure everyone is on the same page.
At the end of the day, it’s important to have a debriefing with your team. Review what happened during the day and if there were any accidents or injuries. This is also a good time to review safety protocols and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Prioritize Head Protection
Prioritize Head Protection
The final common violation on our list is worker failure to have proper head protection. Head injuries are some of the most serious injuries that can occur on a construction site.
To avoid this violation, contractors should make sure all employees are wearing the proper PPE, including hard hats.
Hard hats should be worn at all times when working on a construction site. They should be properly fitted and comfortable to wear. If an employee is not wearing a hard hat, they should be removed from the site immediately.
You want to make sure that head protection is always in good working order. This means that the hard hats should be inspected regularly and replaced as needed. Employees should also be trained on how to properly wear a hard hat.
By taking the time to review safety protocols like this and make sure everyone is on the same page, you can create a safe worksite for your employees. Following these simple tips can help you avoid costly mistakes and keep your team safe.
Hard hats should be worn at all times when working on a construction site. They should be properly fitted and comfortable to wear. If an employee is not wearing a hard hat, they should be removed from the site immediately.
You want to make sure that head protection is always in good working order. This means that the hard hats should be inspected regularly and replaced as needed. Employees should also be trained on how to properly wear a hard hat.
By taking the time to review safety protocols like this and make sure everyone is on the same page, you can create a safe worksite for your employees. Following these simple tips can help you avoid costly mistakes and keep your team safe.
The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line
By following these tips, contractors can avoid costly construction violations and keep their employees safe. For more information on safety in construction, please contact our office. We are here to help!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to help!