Ensure Construction Safety This Spring

April 11, 2023

May is Construction Safety Month, so now is a great time to review your site safety practices. A strong safety management program doesn’t only reduce the risk of workplace injuries. It also boosts morale, enhances recruitment, improves productivity, and can increase your reputation in the community. Here are a few ways to ensure construction safety this spring and throughout the year.

Ongoing Training

Safety training should not be a one-time thing. Your safety practices should evolve over time as new regulations or better ways of doing things emerge. Regularly teaching new safety practices, as well as reinforcing existing ones is the best way to keep safety at the top of everyone’s minds.

Proper Equipment

Many workplace accidents are due to improper safety gear, tools, or other equipment. When working on a busy job site, construction workers often switch from one task to another, and it’s all too easy to skip gathering all the required gear and equipment. Set the expectation that every worker will use all proper equipment at all times, no matter how small the task, with consequences for non-compliance.

Time and Budget Considerations

Time and budget are constant concerns for any contractor. But workplace injuries are extremely expensive and can even shut down your entire project. Don’t be tempted to let safety slide in the interest of deadlines or cost savings. When estimating a job, base your figures on following all safety requirements. If a project starts to rack up overruns, find other places to make cuts while preserving worker safety.

Adapting to an Aging Workforce

Many construction workers have been in the business for decades. While this brings skills and knowledge that can only be learned through experience, it also brings a higher risk of work-related injuries. Update your safety protocols to include ergonomics, lighter tools, and other measures to help protect older employees.

Tracking and Data Sharing

Workers, managers, and other stakeholders are more likely to buy into a construction safety program if they can see the results. Tracking also helps you see how well your protocols are working and if you need to make changes. Use technology to track trends and create custom reports that you can then share with people across all levels of your company.

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!

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A group of construction workers wearing hard hats and safety vests are smiling.

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!