Accidents are not just inconvenient, they cost time, money, and customer confidence, as well as compromising the safety of everyone on a project. Fortunately, most accidents are preventable. Following the general safety tips outlined below can help prevent most common accidents.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Before beginning work and as often as possible during the job, look around your work area for any hazards. Are there unsecured cords, fall hazards, or other physical dangers? Correct any issues you find before proceeding to work.
- Communicate: Communication between personnel is especially important when many people are working on the same project. Workers in proximity to each other should be in communication with anyone working nearby, particularly if their activities could result in injury to either person. Take a moment before beginning a job to discuss any safety complications that could arise and how to mitigate any identified problems. It is also vital to communicate with the client because they may be able to inform you of any safety issues you may not have known about otherwise.
- Keep up With Equipment Maintenance: Be sure all tools are in good working order and check equipment before and after use for failures and weaknesses. Examine extension cords, plugs, and hand tools for cracks, breaks, and other damage. Do not modify any cords or equipment without checking OSHA or other relevant industry regulations first.
- Wear Required PPE: Safety gear left sitting on a table or in a truck is guaranteed to be ineffective. Removing PPE for comfort reasons may seem like a good idea at the moment but the unintended consequences can be quite severe. Always wear PPE required for the type of job you are performing and encourage others to wear their PPE too.
- Encourage a Safe Environment: Make sure everyone feels comfortable addressing safety issues in the workplace. Consider providing incentives for anyone you supervise who brings attention to and corrects a safety issue. Encouraging workers to spot and call attention to safety issues results in a safer work environment for everyone.
Accidents do not have to happen. By encouraging safety-related behavior and following the tips above many future accidents can be reduced or eliminated— saving time, money, and peace of mind for both contractors and clients.
