7 Essential Safety Protocols for Contractors

Any waterproofing business will do well to define its construction site safety protocols for general contractors to prevent accidents and injuries. Remember that you are only guests at the customer's worksite. Preventing slips and trips and having the proper protection equipment are essential to your company's customer service. 

1. Do a Daily Risk Assessment of the Worksite

The worksite was safe yesterday, so what is the big deal? A lot can change overnight. After your crew leaves the worksite, an accident may happen, a mistake can result in unsafe conditions, or a piece of machinery could malfunction. Daily assessments also consider changing weather, new equipment or added personnel. In some cases, you must also account for visitors to the site who may want to tour the area where you are currently working.

The daily risk assessment allows you to adapt to these types of changing conditions. Based on updated conditions, adjust your safety plan, ensuring workers are aware of any new risks. Moreover, remember that conducting assessments daily keeps safety top of mind for everyone on-site. It reinforces a safety-first culture and encourages workers to remain vigilant and report any observed issues. It also helps them understand that you prefer they would spend just a little extra time on safety.

2. Invest in Equipment Upgrades and Repairs

Well-maintained equipment is less likely to fail unexpectedly, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. Safety features, such as brakes, hydraulics, and emergency shut-offs, must function correctly to protect operators and nearby workers. Because most construction site safety protocols for general contractors to prevent accidents and injuries focus on human error, it is easy to forget about the equipment you use.

However, occupational safety and health frequently depend on the crews' equipment. Fixing a gadget with duct tape is easy, and workers may be accustomed to working around their equipment's issues. That said, these potential hazards may turn into accidents. Take any equipment with problems out of circulation until it is fully repaired. Whenever possible, bring allow tool replacements that your workers can use if some equipment unexpectedly breaks.

3. Insist on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

It started in high school. You did not want to wear the safety goggles that looked weird. Now you are an adult. And the personal protective equipment (PPE) you are supposed to use is too much and also looks weird. However, there are plenty of good reasons to look a little weird if it makes you safe.

1. It protects against injuries. PPE, like helmets, gloves, goggles, and high-visibility clothing, protects you from flying debris, sharp objects, and other site-specific risks. These goggles could stand between your eyesight and a splinter shooting from another contractor's equipment. Besides, nobody is checking your fashion IQ at the construction site.
2. It reduces future health issues. PPE prevents long-term health problems. For example, respiratory protection reduces the risk of inhaling harmful dust or chemicals, and hearing protection guards against hearing loss from loud equipment. Working without them might not affect you immediately, but over time it will likely result in chronic health conditions.
3. It makes you more visible to others. High-visibility vests and other PPE make you more noticeable on the worksite, especially in low-light conditions or areas with heavy equipment. Your coworkers will not hear you coming, but they will see you.

4. Train New Workers and Retrain Current Ones

Every new employee undergoes training. The new cashier at the store must learn the job's different aspects. Construction workers are no different. While there are no cash registers, there are construction project safety rules, personal protective equipment (PPE), health administration OSHA rules, and more. Do not assume that because someone has experience in the trade, they know all about rules for safety. Also, remember that a worker coming from another company may not have been trained in safety to your satisfaction.

Workplaces have begun developing safety training protocols for their teams, and contractors must do the same for their crews. Use pamphlets, training videos, and hands-on training. Have a shift supervisor present who understands and follows the safety protocol. They can be your eyes and ears when you are not there. By the way, training is an ongoing process. Just because someone has been working on the job for a long time does not mean they do not need the occasional refresher. This is particularly true when working with a piece of equipment you only use rarely.

5. Prevent Falls

While you are discussing desert landscape ideas with a client, your worker may be at risk of falling. In the construction industry, falls are frequent and potentially deadly. Construction site safety protocols for general contractors to prevent accidents and injuries must address this hazard.

Depending on who runs the construction site, that company might install guardrails and barriers and provide personal fall arrest systems like harnesses. If they do not, it is up to your company to outfit your workers. Protecting workers might take a little extra time, but it is well worth the effort. Outfitting your workers also had the advantage of being in full control of the equipment's quality.

6. Falling Objects

When it comes to preventing falling objects, it pays to think ahead. It is easy to bump into tools and equipment, which can then affect those working below. Similarly, there is the problem of debris. Some products can help. 

1. Use tool lanyards and holsters. Lanyards or holsters for tools and other small objects prevent them from accidentally being dropped. Remember that workers wearing gloves need additional support to maintain a good grip on these items.
2. Use debris nets. Because you determine where to position the nets, you can find the ideal areas where they capture falling objects. These nets keep tools and debris from hitting anyone working below. These nets are critical for busy construction sites where several trades work side by side.
3. Use material and tool storage. It is tempting to leave the tools where you drop them. After all, you will return in a few hours and continue the project. However, you can improve safety by storing items in appropriate containers at the end of every shift. If you do not have bins available, store equipment properly stacked and stabilized away from any edge.

7. Communication is a Tool for Preventing Accidents

Sometimes, accidents occur because one or more workers are unsure how to proceed. You do not want to bother someone and ask; however, you should. Asking for clarification is okay. In fact, many construction companies have safety officers who answer questions and do some quick training. They are important when you want to know where the eye-washing station is. They are also there to refresh any worker's understanding of operating standards. Communication is critical to construction site safety. 

Of course, companies use plenty of additional safety protocols. Call us today to find out more about how we use OSHA's safety and health programs and the work we do as a CTA waterproofing contractor.