1. Understand Safety Regulations

First things first: if you are being held to specific safety rules and regulations, then you have to understand them. OSHA acts as the regulatory body responsible for setting and enforcing safety standards on construction sites. Construction managers are responsible for familiarizing themselves with OSHA’s safety regulations, particularly regulations around fall protection and the safe operation of construction machinery. In addition to these federal regulations, construction companies themselves often have their own safety protocols for projects they take on. Understanding all of these safety regulations is crucial, so that your work site is never in violation of any safety standards.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

This might seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes people forget the importance of PPE. Wearing the right safety gear can make all the difference in preventing accidents and injuries on construction sites. Examples of PPE include: hard hats, earplugs, safety glasses or goggles, and heavy-duty footwear like steel-toed boots. Without this critical safety equipment on construction sites, workers might experience serious injuries. So better safe than sorry!

3. Participate in Safety Training Sessions

As a construction manager, hosting regular safety meetings and training sessions is paramount to the success of your construction site. It’s important that you reinforce safety guidelines and keep your team updated on any process changes. Also, if any of your team members have specialized tasks and/or are handling complex machinery on the construction site, additional training sessions can ensure that your team is set up for success.

4. Consistent Cleaning and Inspections

The importance of maintaining a clean and organized construction site cannot be overstated. Accidents are more likely to occur in a cluttered or disorganized environment, which is entirely preventable. To ensure that your construction site remains orderly, immediately remove supplies and tools that are not being used and clean up any garbage or debris. Especially if you are working with hazardous or flammable materials, proper cleaning and storage techniques are critical to the health and safety of your team.

Additionally, equipment and tools should be regularly checked and inspected. If you encounter damaged or unsafe equipment, report concerns to the site supervisor. They will either address the situation themselves or escalate the situation to upper management, so that you can have the tool and equipment needed to complete the job.

5. Take a break!

There are many ways that construction managers can support their staff’s health and safety, but one easy way is to require regular breaks. Working on a construction site is hard work, particularly if the weather is unforgiving. Keep an eye on your staff to ensure that they are taking breaks and staying hydrated on the job. Look out for any signs of fatigue or heat exhaustion, including headaches and/or dizziness, shallow breathing, or hot, red skin. If any of your team members experiences these symptoms, bring them to a climate-controlled environment and facilitate medical care, if necessary.

Spending the time and energy to implement and enforce safety measures on your construction is essential. Construction workers are susceptible to a variety of injuries and health hazards, so take the extra time to ensure that your job site is as safe as possible.

Building the Best with U.S. Bridge

At U.S. Bridge, the health and safety of construction sites is always a top priority. We build durable, reliable bridges quickly, using only the best tools and techniques available. Our pride comes from our wide variety of prefabricated bridge designs, which we know will easily meet your unique project needs.

Contact us for a free estimate, or use our industry-leading Bridgescope tool to begin planning your project now!