Safeguarding the health and safety of employees at construction sites, or for that matter, at any workplace is the prime responsibility of the employer. Among all industrial activities construction is a high-risk one with divergent types of hazards waiting to happen, if preemptive measures are not in place.
Additionally, at least in the context of Indian construction, the real estate industry estate, as it is commonly called, is a labor-intensive one. Added to this, the levels of education among the workforce are varied from unskilled to professionals, making it that much more difficult and challenging to implement safety measures. A dedicated plan for safety at all stages of construction activity is imperative.
Digitization of construction activity provides a great window of opportunity to exercise a comparatively higher degree of control on the activity front. Apart from enhancing visibility levels throughout, properly digitized operations ensure
minimization of hazards,
streamlining the workflows,
addressing gaps in toolbox training schedules,
stricter enforcement of safety measures
incident reporting and effective management
efficiently addressing time sensitive issues
minimizing accident payouts and penalties
timely compliance of legal formalities
Protecting construction crew from fatalities or possible hazards begins right from the planning stage of activity. Proper plan incorporates counter measures against probable trouble spots. Adequate training to construction site employees goes a long way in ensuring safety at site.
Safety Training Programs: The possibility of eliminating risks is not absolute. However, a very high percentage of risks can be avoided with training. Training makes workforce cautious of the pitfalls and vigilant to conduct periodical and regular safety audits. This will ensure creation of safe work environment for all.
Strict Safety and Security Protocols: Maintaining standard safety and security protocols is paramount as it prevents unauthorized use of machinery and heavy equipment. The movement of the people at the construction site too requires strict supervision and must be properly enforced to prevent mishaps. All visitors and workforce at the construction site must be put through induction training before being let on the site.
Electrical Safety: The use of electric power and electric transformers poses one of the biggest threats for the safety of workforce. Extension cords and heavy duty power cables must be laid out safely and the crew must be trained to stay clear of them while at work or on the move. Monitoring such zones from remote administrative offices becomes easy if the construction activity is digitized. HSE software like Safety App enables seamless visibility of construction sites and allow for stricter implementation of safety norms.
Display Signage: All high-risk projects and zones must carry clear signage so that all safety protocols are visible. These signage boards ideally must include a 24 hour emergency phone number along with the directions to reach the contact office in case of need.
Personal Protective Equipment: All construction workers must be provided with work-specific protective equipment like gloves, gum boots, overhauls, head protection gears, safety googles, etc and the same must be documented. Digitization will help in ensuring if the provided protective gear is being put to use by the crew while at work. It helps management to monitor and plug loopholes in issue of protective equipment too.
Safe construction sites boost the morale of the workforce as well as enhance the brand image of the management. Safety measures result in reduced employee absenteeism and reduced incidence of debilitating injuries to the crew. Safety is an investment for a better and secure tomorrow.