Construction is one of the world’s oldest and most lucrative industries. As long as society keeps evolving, there will always be a need for newer, better, more efficient buildings.
With that said, the ongoing demand can make it easy to cut corners and just “get it done.” Not only will this reduce the quality of work, but it will severely jeopardize the safety of the workers, materials, and investment. To help avoid this scenario and guarantee that everything is on the up-and-up, keep reading for 5 key factors in ensuring safety in industrial construction sites.
Preparation is the key to success in guaranteeing job site safety. There is simply no way to jump in head first and avoid major risk.
Some key preparation steps to take at the job site include:
These are just a few of the ideas that are critical to job site preparation. When going through the preparation process, it is beneficial to work with a professional site inspector to help identify potential issues that escape the untrained eye.
A risk assessment is critical prior to starting any type of industrial construction project.
What is a risk assessment?
Basically, it involves looking at anything and everything that could possibly go wrong and having a contingency plan in place in case it does. It prevents stakeholders from being caught unprepared by unexpected events and helps protect the safety of the workers, project, and budget. Some points to consider when performing a risk assessment for an industrial construction site include:
It is also important to remember that risk assessment may need to be even more comprehensive when restoring or rehabilitating old buildings. Many projects are updating existing structures with new windows or the best insulation for exterior walls to get inefficient buildings up to modern standards. However, don’t just assume that other components of the building are in good enough condition to withstand adjacent renovation. Therefore, be meticulous with the budgeting for these types of projects, as uncovering underlying issues once work begins is an expensive proposition.
It is easy to cut corners in the name of saving time and money.
Maybe it's a failure to put on the necessary PPE because a task is a “quick fix.”
Or perhaps it’s leaving materials laying out overnight because work commences early the next morning.
It could also be something like putting down roofing tile before all b decking is implemented. What is n decking? It is a type of structural roof support that helps transfer vertical loads horizontally to the building’s frame, allowing the roof to accommodate more weight and increased foot traffic.
While 99% of projects may take these kinds of shortcuts and end up being fine, it is that unexpected disaster that can create irreparable injury (or worse) and litigation that puts firms out of business.
Therefore, take steps to establish a culture of safety at every project site. Invest in education and ongoing training to ensure that all agents understand the expectation. As a major stakeholder, lead by example and demonstrate a willingness to prioritize safety in all of the seemingly minor details.
The construction industry has always been a little ahead of the rest of the economy in terms of air quality awareness, providing workers with masks, ventilators, and other types of PPE to ensure that they are not inhaling toxic chemicals.
However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, understand that air quality is under the microscope like never before.
Make sure that air scrubs are placed throughout the construction site to reduce the amount of toxicity in the work environment. Provide clear paths to exterior spaces to allow workers easy access to a dose of fresh air. If this is not possible, and the construction is taking place underground or in some other type of poorly ventilated area, install backdraft dampers to the ductwork to ensure the one-way flow of conditioned air.
It may not seem like building materials themselves can promote safety, but there are actually a number of ways in which they can do so. A few ways include:
It is also important to keep budget risk in mind when choosing materials. Going with bargain-basement options may reduce the upfront cost, but it increases the likelihood of costly rework scenarios, so keep a big-picture view in mind.
Ensuring optimal safety at the industrial construction site is critical for protecting workers and resources.
While talented actors are one crucial ingredient to creating an enchanting TV show, eye-catching locations are also vital. Thankfully, The Witcher is chock full of them. The fantasy series, based on the international bestselling book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, has been filmed all over Europe. The most recent season was largely filmed in the United […]
Criminology Professor Jasper Tempest helps police solve crimes in the new ITV drama Professor T starring Death in Paradise star Ben Miller and Frances de la Tour. The six-part series was filmed in the historic city of Cambridge and its surrounding areas. We take a look at the filming locations, and what viewers can see […]
In the heart of Connecticut, the small town of New Canaan stands as a beacon of technological advancement and community collaboration, largely thanks to the visionary efforts of its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The role of a CTO in a community like New Canaan is multifaceted, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and everyday […]
