Site Safety - A Corporate Strategic Initiative.
An Interesting article by Steve Stephenson on the Corporate Responsibility of Site Safety and Signage
Safety is increasingly viewed and acted upon as a corporate strategic initiative. The attitude is that safety in the construction industry needs to be the concern of everyone from top management to workers on the job. For some organisations, safety records have been a part of the qualification process or bid evaluation for decades. And in many cases project safety is part of calculating performance bonuses.
Experience Modification Rates
Construction industry safety is more complex than the simple gratitude of walking home from a long day at work with all limbs functioning, sight and hearing intact and an aching, but undamaged back. Construction safety can be measured in many different ways. One method is to look at Experience Modification Rates (EMRs) to evaluate contractors. A company’s EMR is based on the frequency and severity of a company’s workers’ compensation claims. Software and web-based safety programs can keep safety records, prepare reports, track goals and provide incentives for improving safety.
Safety directors weigh in
Interviewing construction company safety directors has been interesting and enlightening — especially in a slow economy that is still being felt across the United States. The good news is that safety is more on the radar screen than ever before.
“The economy is very tight right now,” said Dan Snyder, an East Coast general contractor who performs commercial renovation, modernization and new work with government office buildings. “Work is slim and money is tight so everybody is looking for ways to save money. We’re all required to do more with less and sometimes this flows over into purchasing and using safety equipment.”
“With a slow economy, we hire more experienced workers who are less likely to be injured on the job,” said Danny Minnix, director of safety and risk, The Branch Group.
Ellen Yank, Market Contractors in Portland, Oregon, offers another perspective on safety. “On the positive side, OSHA training has improved. OSHA 10 & 30 programs are reasonably priced and employee turnover has declined.”
“Safety products are always changing with new designs to protect individuals and provide comfort for staying cool in hot climates,” suggested Snyder. “In addition, competition between manufacturers creates better and more user-friendly types of safety products.”
“The greatest product improvements are in eye and hearing protection, gloves and footwear,” added Ms. Yank.
Construction site safety communications have also improved largely because of compliance issues.
Communication is key
Communication of safety information is vital in a workplace that changes daily. Ensuring everyone is properly trained and all OSHA training requirements are met is the foundation. Once workers are on the job site, they must be warned about hazards and reminded about safety. The most effective way to do this is using signs and labels.
At Market Contractors construction sites, Ellen Yank’s crews post the following types of signs:
WHSE posters
Authorised personnel only
Fire extinguisher — fight or flee posters
Housekeeping and cleanup requirements
Emergency services — 000, poison control and local Hospitals
Tie-off requirements
No tobacco requirements
Drug-free zone
Lasers in use
Lift safety
No bullying
Accident reporting
Odor control
Construction sites often need signs that are 1200x900mm or larger. Large format signs are recognised as a way to increase hazard and safety communication effectiveness. Large safety signs are more noticeable and they quickly communicate their safety message.
“Here in Virginia,” said Minnix, “we post large signs that spell out company policies, and signs and labels for fire extinguisher and electrical warnings.”
Create your own custom whiteboards and signs
As expenses have tightened in the construction industry, contractors can save money and improve the effectiveness of safety signs by producing custom solutions that suit multiple needs.
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Constant reminders
OSHA statistics show construction safety violations rank the highest in OSHA citations. We all know safety is critical. We still need constant reminders to reinforce our safety awareness. All levels — from the construction site manager to day laborers — need to regularly be reminded to keep safety first, don’t take shortcuts, and to return to our families each day injury-free.
