Running a construction company, whether this is one that works for or in conjunction with the government, or else a private company focusing on roads and other transport links on private land, is a multi-faceted role to say the least.
Health and safety considerations aren’t just a legal concern, but also a moral and ethical one, to ensure your employees can carry out their responsibilities safely and members of the public are never in any kind of danger.
That said, here are some of the key health and safety considerations for construction companies of any size or scope.
Equipment Safety Checks
Contrary to popular beliefs, just because an individual chooses a practical profession with hands-on duties involving heavy machinery and associated equipment, this shouldn’t mean they’re automatically more at risk than if they worked in an office.
It’s your responsibility, both in a moral and a legal sense, to ensure there are thorough and regular checks conducted across any construction site that your business is in charge of and moreover, that there’s also a comprehensive maintenance structure in place.
Spend Time Focusing on At-Risk Areas
Amber flashing lights are absolutely essential for any vehicles working on public roads or construction sites that are near, or even on, public locations and are also necessary when larger than average loads are being transported via motorways.
Focusing on at-risk areas within the construction site itself is of optimum priority and from night-time work being carried out on a public highway to workers being suspended from heights, health and safety becomes a life and death consideration.
In the case from falling from heights, for example, safeguards and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) should be supplied such as toe boards, helmets, heavy-duty work boots, screens, nets, and safety harnesses.
Your Employees’ Mental Health
These days and frankly, not before time, far more importance and recognition are being attributed to the emotional health and well-being of construction workers and this is something your company should fully embrace.
A published report from the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) found that approximately twenty thousand workers reported stress, anxiety, or depression within the construction sector in a three-year period, which accounts for over a quarter of health issues within the industry.
Cultivating a healthy and open working environment, ensuring that employees are treated with respect and consideration at all times, and holding one-to-one progress meetings with each member of the team are all constructive ways to help.
Risk Assessments Should be the Norm
Finally, risk assessments are tasks that, unfortunately, are often quickly ran completed, or even forgotten, when construction companies are working to tight deadlines with limited staff, and as such, some serious accidents and injuries could be avoided.
Risk assessments are even more crucial as soon as a new construction project commences and the entire site should be checked for any existing or potential hazards or issues, which should all be entirely eradicated before work begins.
Regular refresher training on safe working practices for each and every one of your construction workers is also strongly advised.
His & Hers Magazine occasionally receives monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for mentioning and / or linking to products and services from this blog. For more features, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.
