Effective Team Communication in High-Risk Construction Environments

February 28, 2024

A construction site is, by nature, a high-risk environment. Communication is essential to minimizing risk, but how can team members communicate when there is so much noise and distraction? Here is what all contractors need to know.

Clarity

On a job site, both verbal and non-verbal communication must be clear and unambiguous. Just like the ten codes that emergency professionals use, you should develop a set of basic, standardized communications. Include both simple verbal phrases and hand signals so that everyone can get the same message even when it’s too noisy to hear clearly.

Technology

Radios and phone apps can help to communicate real-time updates across a job site. Choose one primary piece of technology for normal situations and a secondary backup for times that your primary tool fails. Train everyone on how to use both solutions and when and how to switch from one to the other. Test all connections during a group meeting each morning before everyone heads out onto the site.

Emergency Protocols

All construction projects should have a written emergency safety plan. Drill this plan with your team before starting work, and bring it up frequently in regular safety meetings. If anything should go catastrophically wrong, this plan can help get people out of danger quickly and efficiently. Make sure each person has an assigned role and that there is a clear and concise way for anyone on the job site to activate the plan.

Feedback

Your team members are your eyes and ears on the ground. They are best positioned to understand what’s working well and where communication is breaking down. Provide easy-to-use lines of feedback for them to express their concerns. Carefully consider all feedback and develop a plan of action to address it.

Team Meetings

Team meetings are essential to building trust, as well as an easy way to communicate any changes or updates. On a high-risk construction site, it’s important to hold a group meeting every morning before work begins and a safety meeting at least once per week. If anything unusual happens during the workday, consider adding a debriefing session at the end of the day for everyone to talk it out.

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At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting contractors with professionals in the skilled trades throughout the Great Lakes region. If you need a skilled tradesperson, learn more about our services and then contact us today!

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Overcoming Common Challenges in Urban Commercial Construction

March 27, 2024

Urban commercial construction brings a whole set of challenges that contractors in the suburbs and rural areas never have to consider. But revitalization is extremely important for urban cores to survive and thrive, so these projects can be quite lucrative. Here are some common difficulties, along with tips to overcome them and remain on good terms with the neighbors. Tight Spaces In urban areas, there simply isn’t as much space to move around. You might have difficulty getting some of your heavy machinery to fit, or your subcontractors could be trying to paint an apartment the size of an average broom closet. Rise to the challenge by thinking outside the box. Carefully survey the entire space before you get started, and develop a detailed project plan in advance. Be sure to include entry and egress routes, alternative ways of getting things done, and even subcontractor schedules that minimize the number of people working in the same space at the same time. Local Regulations Many urban areas have byzantine construction regulations that are confusing and hard to follow. Take the time to research these regulations and understand what you need to do. Then, boil it all down into a simple, easy-to-read document that you distribute to everyone involved. Get to know the local authorities and find someone whom you can call whenever you have questions or concerns. Make sure your team members are ready to pivot if you find out that you missed or misinterpreted something significant. Always have a backup plan. Community Engagement Transparency can go a long way toward getting the local community on your side. Let people know what you’re working on and how it will benefit them. Explain why the project is happening, how long it will take, and whether it will impact their costs (such as taxes). If you’re redeveloping a historic building, be especially sensitive to the concerns of preservationists and meet with them separately to explain your plans. Noise Control You won’t endear yourself to the local community if you’re making a lot of noise when residents are trying to sleep. And remember, even if you’re working on an office building, there could be luxury apartments right next door. Use sound baffling measures to reduce noise. Whenever possible, work during daylight hours. Minimizing Disruptions No matter how careful you are, urban commercial construction projects are inherently disruptive to the neighborhood. But you can mitigate this with careful planning. Try not to block streets during morning or evening rush hours. Be considerate of any upcoming local events. Do your best not to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic patterns. When you do need to create a blockage, be sure to put up signage and work as quickly as you can without compromising safety. Need a Skilled Trade Professional? At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting contractors with professionals in the skilled trades throughout the Great Lakes region. If you need a skilled tradesperson, learn more about our services, and then contact us today!