OSHA Defense

6 Ways to Create a Culture of Safety on Jobsites Part 2 featured image

6 Ways to Create a Culture of Safety on Jobsites Part 2

The construction industry is comprised of a broad range of activities that can be hazardous to workers. From roof falls to electrocutions to exposure to silica dust, construction companies must continuously be safety-conscious. For this reason, creating a culture of safety is essential. This article will discuss the final three ways to make safety a regular part of your jobsite. Read part one for the first three tips.

4. Encourage Open Communication

When you foster an environment of transparency and open communication, employees feel comfortable coming to management with concerns without fear of reprisal. Encourage your workers to communicate their concerns and be prepared to make adjustments. OSHA takes worker complaints seriously and will move quickly to investigate infractions as well as retaliation claims.

5. Make Regular Field Safety Inspections

Conducting regular field inspections is an effective way to improve safety. For one, safety risks and unsafe behaviors can be identified to prevent accidents. Although you will have inspections at the state and federal level, it is best to perform your own inspections to ensure the jobsite remains efficient and free of hazards.

6. Focus on the “Fatal Four”

Although all hazards are important, OSHA has identified four that account for nearly 60 percent of all construction-related fatalities. These four include falls, caught in/or between incidents, struck-by hazards, and electrocution. The following are suggestions for lessening the occurrence of these potentially fatal hazards.

  • Providing workers with appropriate ladders and personal fall arrest systems will decrease fall incidents.
  • To eliminate or reduce caught in/or between incidents, protective equipment should be used whenever entering a trench five feet or deeper. Additionally, workers should never position themselves between moving and fixed objects.
  • Struck-by hazards will be reduced by meeting all heavy equipment requirements and hiring competent operators for vehicles.
  • To avoid electrocutions, workers should not operate portable electric tools unless they are double insulated or ground.

The OSHA defense lawyers of Cotney Attorneys & Consultants are experts in OSHA law and can provide construction companies with counsel to avoid OSHA violations.

In Conclusion

Workplace safety must start from top to bottom, with management leading the way. When workers see their supervisors striving to keep the jobsite safe, they’ll follow suit. Fewer accidents mean fewer delays, higher worker morale, lower insurance costs, and the avoidance of OSHA fines.

To request a consultation with one of our experienced OSHA defense attorneys, please call us today at 813.579.3278 or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.