In the ever evolving world of construction, insurance companies are seeing a higher number in workers’ compensation claims. Of course, not all workplace accidents are avoidable, but many are. In fact, Herbert William Heinrich, an industrial safety pioneer, found that only 2% of workers’ compensation claims were unavoidable. That means that 98% of these claims could have been avoided.
So, how can 98% of these claims be avoided? You are not always able to supervise every worker on site, so it can be difficult to make sure that your employees are being careful. That being said, a workplace safety plan can be very beneficial to you as a business owner, and for your team.
Workplace safety plans will vary from job to job, but there are a few items that we highly recommend implementing - especially as a construction worker. Please keep in mind that the following topics are not the only workplace safety measures that you should take.
Do Not Work Alone
As confident as we might be when it comes to working our craft, mistakes and accidents happen when we least expect it. If you are a construction worker performing a job alone, the risk of an unfortunate accident increases. Whether you are a construction worker, or an independent contractor with a small team, always be sure at least two people are on a job site at the same time.
If there are two people performing the job together, there is a much better chance of accidents being avoided. If an accident does occur, the other person available can act accordingly to make sure things are handled smoothly.
Safety Meetings About Near Misses
When working these jobs, there are many close calls. It is a good idea to get your team together once a week, or month to discuss near misses. By going over the almost accidents that happen, you and your team can better prepare for potential mishaps.
Potential Safety Meeting Topics:
-
Slips, trips, and falls: These are the most common accidents that occur on a construction site. To avoid this, be sure that staff is wearing the proper footwear, workers are properly cleaning their areas, and foot mats and signage are provided near anything wet.
-
Hit by / Struck by: Contractors and construction workers are constantly working with all types of tools and machinery. If people on the job site are not paying attention, they can easily get hit, or hit another person. All workers must be alert at all times.
-
Eye injuries: Safety goggles should be worn while working at all times. Without safety goggles, you have a higher risk of being poked in the eye, or contracting unsafe particles in the air. This can cause extreme discomfort and in severe cases, even blindness.
Check Certificates
When most people start out in the construction industry, they are beginning at an entry level position. For entry level workers, they typically do not require certificates, but they do require some form of training.
When a construction worker moves out of an entry level job, more training is needed, along with certifications. This is when checking certificates plays a huge factor in the safety of your employees.
Without checking your construction workers’ certificates, you risk the chance of an under qualified worker performing tasks that they are not prepared for. Not only is that dangerous for the person, but it also can put your entire team at risk of accidents that could have been avoided.
Workplace safety is one of, if not the best way to ensure that all of your workers are staying as safe as possible. If you would like to get more information on workplace safety, or workers compensation, fill out the form below, or give us a call at (303) 279-9700.