Why a strong safety culture in construction must begin with effective management and how modern technology makes this trickle-down effect an easier process; reducing the number of accidents occurring by confirming safety as a core value.
Accounting for 19.9% of US work deaths in 2016, this confirms the importance of all companies in the construction industry in developing a strong safety culture. If workers trust and feel they can depend on their managers, they are more likely to admit any problems or ask certain questions about safety issues. Modern technology makes managers easier to contact if they are not on-site and online training means that new workers can be ready to meet their entire team on the first day, rather than filling out health and tax forms.
Workers should remain a constant part of any changes being made and modern technology such as online surveys make this an easier process. Also, if a worker would like to mention a safety issue but prefer to remain anonymous. Someone working on-site all day is much more likely to notice a safety problem, such as a space which becomes restricted within certain times of the day, compared to a manager who only walks the floor once a day, or even once a week. The importance of managers to have face-to-face contact with workers, is still mentioned as a vital part of any strong safety culture.
The most important choice I make daily is to get out into the field and actually talk to workers. That one minute conversation may impact a decision they have to make in the future and ultimately save their lives –Â (PCL Construction, Denver Colorado).
If they feel like part of a strong safety culture, they are also more likely to remain on-site and workers are 3 times more likely to lose-time through injury if they are only within their first month on the job. Â
The subjects contained in this article are:
- How managers can develop trust and cooperation within their workforce.
- Why workers should remain a constant part of their changing safety culture.
- How accidents can be stopped before they happen with a strong safety culture.
- How modern technology can make all these things easier.
- Could this trickle-down effect make an impact on the prevention of the Fatal Four?
The impact that this trickle-down effect could have on the prevention of workplace deaths is also mentioned, as a frightening amount of the deaths occurring in 2016 were caused when obvious OSHA standards, were not met. These include the use of fall protection from a certain height and the lack of necessary face, head and eye protection. An interesting question that is often asked and could have a large effect on any fines made is:
Were standards, such as the constant wearing of hardhats unenforced or were requirements such as fall-protection not even provided? Download the Ebook to find out more.