May is a big month for construction safety with both Safety Week 2016 and the National Safety Stand-Down occurring in the first week of the month. With jobsite injuries and fatalities occurring at such a high rate — nearly three times that of other industries, according to the CDC — it is no wonder safety has become a top concern for the industry.
According to OSHA, 1 in 5 worker deaths in 2014 were in construction, and more than half of these 874 construction worker deaths were caused by the "Fatal Four":
- falls — 349 deaths
- electrocutions — 74 deaths
- struck by object — 73 deaths
- caught-in/between — 12 deaths
While safety basics are good to know — like having first aid kits readily available, wearing protective gear, using tools properly and avoiding "odd" positions that will cause long-term health problems — there are unique things construction workers can do to improve their safety.
So, how can your construction company increase safety and reduce injuries and fatalities? Creating innovative safety programs, investing in new technology and being creative when implementing these new programs and technologies is a good start.
Here are some tips for creating a unique — and modern — safety program.
Start with updating technology
While the construction industry has been slow to adopt new technologies, recent advancements might change that. Innovators have created "smart" wearables for construction workers. From preventing heatstroke to ensuring proper use of protective gear, these wearable technologies can keep your workers safe.
The smart vest was developed by RMIT University in Australia due to the increase in heat-related accidents on construction sites worldwide. "The vest uses sensors to measure a worker's body temperature and heart rate and sends the data wirelessly to a smartphone app, which instantly alerts users to any anomalies," according to Phys.org.
The smart vest can also alert workers to hypothermia, panic attacks or any other health-related problem that can occur on a job site. Healthy employees will not only be safer, but their productivity will also increase.
The smart hard hat is another technological improvement for construction workers. It's similar to the smart vest with the ability to wirelessly transmit information, but it has the potential to provide other information from the worker. For example, in a hard hat, the technology could be used to determine concussions in the case of a head injury.
This technology can also be placed in other protective equipment to monitor the effectiveness of that protection: Is the equipment being worn properly? Is the equipment damaged in any way? Does it fit the worker properly or does it need to be resized?
Being able to determine when a person is at risk of injury or a health problem gives the construction company and that employee a "crystal ball" to prevent many problems. Heatstroke will no longer "be a part of the job."
Make safety programs appealing
Safety is a serious topic, but training and programs to promote safety don't have to be so serious.
Take, for example, the 35ExpressProject in North Texas. During National Safety Week last year, "AGL Constructors created monsters from recycled construction barrels to promote safety," according to the Lake Cities Sun. The "barrel monsters" ranged from elephants to giant Lego men, all with signs promoting safety and awareness. Some of the signs also said "My Daddy Works Here," hitting the emotions of many drivers.
This competition gave the construction workers a break from their daily routine. It allowed them to be creative and have a little fun. These types of projects and competitions are a great way to get your workers involved — and the more involved they are, the more they learn, retain and execute in their daily routines.
Another way to get your workers involved while promoting safety is with a daily warmup.
Construction workers are constantly moving, lifting and pushing their bodies to the limit. By warming up their bodies and stretching, they are reducing the chance for physical injury. If you recommend stretching individually to the workers, it will probably go in one ear and out the other. But, if you create a mandatory warmup meeting each morning, you'll get the entire team involved.
Again, safety is serious, but these warmups don't have to be. Make it fun. Play some music. Switch up the warmup: Have Yoga Mondays or Pilates Fridays.
Help your workers relieve stress
Stress might not be a risk many construction workers would cite as a top concern, but it should be. A stressed worker is not fully focused, thus increasing the chances for safety problems.
Some stress is good, but companies should encourage workers to participate in stress-relieving acts. It might seem basic, but help your workers to eat right, sleep enough and help each other. Eating right improves body function, sleep increases focus and helping others provides "a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment," according to Kimmel & Associates.
In addition, any worker who displays signs of extreme stress, mental illness or long-term problems completing tasks, should be re-evaluated and provided proper treatment. Don't wait until one of these problems causes a work-related event; prevent it at the first sign.
Safety at construction sites will always be a concern. From health issues to physical injuries, construction workers are in a high-risk zone. Using technology, creative planning and teamwork, construction companies can reduce their risk, create a safe work zone and improve productivity.
What are your plans for increasing safety at your construction sites?
