Navigating Mistakes on the Jobsite

October 11, 2023

If you’re like most skilled trade workers, you probably take a lot of pride in your work. You’ve honed your skills through hard experience and enjoy seeing a project come together. But no matter how talented you are, you’re still a human being. And that means that mistakes will occur despite your best intentions. How you handle them will say a lot about your character and who you are as a worker. Here are some tips.

Own Your Mistake

The first step is to simply own the mistake. Yes, you messed up. Mistakes happen. Avoid the urge to blame others or justify your actions. Taking responsibility builds trust with your employer. It projects confidence. And even more importantly, it allows you to get on with the process of fixing the problem.

Document Everything

You, your supervisor, and your team need to know exactly what went wrong. So, document it as carefully as possible. Take photos and write down everything you can think of that may have contributed to the issue.

Communicate Widely

Tell your supervisor what happened as soon as possible. But don’t stop there. Your coworkers also need to know, especially if the problem could also affect them. For example, if shoddy materials were involved, you need to tell your team members not to use them. If there is a safety hazard, they need to know to avoid it.

Assess and Solve the Issue

Work with your boss and your team members to figure out what happened. Perform a risk management assessment to determine what future damage might occur as a result. Analyze how and why the mistake occurred and make an action plan to avoid similar mistakes in the future. And determine how best to deal with the situation as it currently exists, including rectifying the immediate issue while minimizing potential fallout.

Mistakes are inevitable in construction projects. But the steps you take in the immediate aftermath are vital to keeping the project moving, demonstrating your trustworthiness, and ultimately protecting your reputation and that of your company.

Ready For a New Skilled Trade Position in the Great Lakes Region?

At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting professionals in the skilled trades with contractors who need their services throughout the Great Lakes region. If you’re a skilled trade worker looking for your next position, check out our available jobs 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!