Safety is the top concern for every construction firm. Besides the obvious impact on workers, construction accidents can have a devastating impact on customer relationships, your ability to bid and win jobs and, ultimately, your company’s bottom line.
As you approach your next project, here’s a list of high risk areas and some tips for developing a plan to avoid them.
10 Most Common OSHA Violations (As of 01/05/16)
- Fall Protection – 1926.501
- Hazard Communication – 1910.1200
- Scaffolding – 1926.451
- Respiratory Protection – 1910.134
- Lockout/Tagout – 1910.147
- Powered Industrial Trucks – 1910.178
- Ladders – 1926.1053
- Electrical, Wiring Methods – 1910.305
- Machine Guarding – 1910.212
- Electrical, General Requirements – 1910.303
Inspect the Site, Recognize the Hazards, Make a Plan
This should seem routine, but inspecting and understanding any unusual hazards associated with a site should be completed before any project starts. Here are some tips for keeping your team safe on the job, your customers happy and your business protected from expensive claims, work delays and OSHA violations.
- Make sure you have a clear understanding of your customer’s EHS expectations and onsite safety procedures.
- Establish a Site-Specific Healthy and Safety Plan (SSHASP) and train your workers on the SSHASP before the project starts.
- Include clear instructions for evacuation procedures and incident reporting as well as the contact information for the local police, fire, and emergency medical services. Also include the phone number and directions to the nearest hospital emergency room.
- Have workers sign off that they have received and understand the SSHASP.
- Verify that all equipment has been properly inspected prior to arrival at the job site.
- Ensure and document that all workers are properly trained on the equipment that they will be using.
- Address dispute resolution in the SSHASP and refer to it should the need arise.
- Ensure accurate and up-to-date JHA/AHA are used and followed for job tasks to ensure high hazard recognition and low risk tolerance.
Completing construction projects in a controlled environment with a solid SSHASP can minimize accidents, fines and lost time. For more information on maintaining a safe construction workplace, check out the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s website at OSHA.gov.
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