New Construction Companies and Safety

Construction can be a lucrative and fulfilling business. Not only do you get to literally build the foundation upon which business and society will operate, but you get a chance to make money in the process. However, before getting started on any project, it is absolutely that you have safety services and protocols in place to ensure the protection of your workers and anyone else that might be nearby. Here’s more information on new construction companies and safety.

Safety is important for a number of reasons, the most important being that an unsafe environment could cause the injury or death of one or more of your workers. The risk to human life alone makes your safety plan absolutely essential. In addition, there can be significant costs associated with failing to have safety protocols in place. A safety-related accident can slow or stop a project, which will cost your company money, and the potential for a lawsuit due to insufficient safety protocols could potentially put you out of business permanently. Establishing company-wide safety protocols is both the morally right and financially prudent thing to do.

While there is no question that safety is important, the process of actually establishing safety protocols can be a long and arduous task. Hiring a safety consulting firm can be one of the best investments you can make to save you both time and money. In addition, visiting the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration website (OSHA) is a great place to start learning about the types of hazards and regulations your company will need to deal with. While every construction company is different, and the types of hazards at each project site will change, the OSHA website can provide you with an extensive look at the specific types of safety hazards your company will face.

OSHA breaks down safety hazards first into project based categories such as stairways/ladders, scaffolding, electrical, etc. Then hazards are broken into equipment categories such as hand/power tools, concrete masonry, cranes/hoists, etc. Finally, hazards are broken down into other hazards associated with the construction industry such as asbestos and other hazardous materials. As a business owner, you should familiarize yourself with the OSHA recommendations and requirements for each category that applies to your business.

None of these safety protocols will matter whatsoever unless there is accountability. Everyone from the workers to the foremen to the business owner must have an understanding and respect for safety rules, and everyone must be accountable for their own actions. By following these steps and ensuring that everyone is accountable, you can ensure the safety of your operation and focus on your business.