Construction is one of the largest industries in the world. It is also among the most dangerous, with more daily risks to workers than most other fields. The sector is currently experiencing a difficult phase of higher productivity demands and persistent labor shortages.
All these factors make security more important than ever. Construction leaders must take steps to protect their team members and ensure that everyone is prepared to work safely. That starts with a comprehensive security plan.
Why is a construction safety plan important?
Each year, the construction industry experiences more accidents and injuries than almost any other industry. In 2021, construction had the highest number of fatal work-related injuries in the country, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Many of the most common causes of these fatalities are the everyday hazards that construction workers face. Working at heights, operating heavy vehicles and moving large objects are part of the job, but they carry significant risks. Given how common and dangerous these things are, a detailed security plan to address them is crucial.
Improvement of individual security
A solid safety plan and thorough employee training can go a long way in reducing the number of on-site accidents each year. Many workers worry about getting injured on the job every day, so comprehensive safety planning can improve employee confidence.
Team members who know workplace hazards and how to navigate them safely can feel less stressed. This is a significant benefit given that stress plays a major role in human error, which is involved in almost all workplace accidents, according to the HSE. A safety plan relieves this pressure and increases preparedness on construction sites.
Preparing for the Unknown
A comprehensive security plan ensures that sites are also prepared for external risks. It is virtually impossible to predict when emergencies or natural disasters will occur, but preparing for extreme incidents will strengthen construction companies in the face of crises.
Promotion of positive benefits in the workplace
Security plans also produce tangible business benefits. Improving site safety with a comprehensive plan will make things better in the long run, as fewer accidents and injuries will occur, resulting in more team members working at full capacity on a daily basis. This is especially important given the construction labor shortage.
Work-related injuries also cost the construction industry £16.2 billion a year in lost productivity, fines and medical costs. A safety plan prevents these accidents and helps companies avoid these high costs.
What should be included in a security plan?
An in-depth construction safety plan should go beyond basic advice, with standards for all functions and tasks, as well as detailed emergency response procedures. A focus on clarity and detail is vital. While a flexible plan is advantageous, an ambiguous one will backfire.
Create an outline
Start by covering all relevant security topics. Some online construction resources include safety plan templates or schematics that can provide a starting point.
A safety plan should include ground rules for everyone on site, including descriptions of each role and specific requirements for them, information on first aid and how to get emergency medical attention on site. There should also be instructions for the safe use of equipment, an overview of electrical and fire safety and details on accident reporting.
Includes rules, requirements and security protocols
Everyone on the site must know all the safety rules they must follow. The safety plan should support this goal and detail the PPE required for all employees and which tasks require additional safety equipment. Fall protection equipment, such as safety harnesses and harnesses, is especially important.
It’s also a good idea to specify the areas where smoking and eating is allowed and not allowed within the site. These activities may not seem dangerous, but they can lead to unnecessary hazards, such as spills or illness from accidental ingestion of harmful materials. This section of the plan is also a good place to review safety inspection protocols.
Identify the hazards
The Occupational Health and Safety Management Regulations require a risk assessment so that employers understand all the hazards. These are crucial to safety plans, as hazard awareness improves workers’ ability to avoid site-specific hazards. For example, exposure to chemicals carries several important health risks, especially since some chemicals are difficult to see or smell. Knowing about them in advance is essential to stay safe.
Everyone needs to know where things are stored, what they are for, who is authorized to handle them, and what to do if someone is exposed to hazardous materials.
Emergency procedures detail
A comprehensive safety plan should also describe how to evacuate the site if necessary and what to do during site-wide emergencies. Explain in detail the emergency communication channels and protocols for each relevant crisis.
Be sure to address power loss, as an estimated 25% of businesses experience an outage once a month or more, which can significantly increase the risk of on-site injury. Safety plans should include what to do during a blackout, including the locations of battery-operated lighting and instructions for getting off equipment safely.
Adverse weather conditions are other common causes of work emergencies. The specific type that poses the highest risk depends on the region where the site is located, so this requires a site-specific analysis. The initial risk assessment should look at weather-related risks such as electrical hazards, fire hazards or loose objects that could be dangerous.
Remember to be flexible
The specific details of a construction safety plan will differ between sites and teams. It is important to consider geographic and project-specific risks. For example, a group working near the coast should include flood and storm response in their safety plan. Likewise, projects such as high-rise buildings need more attention to fall prevention than single-story houses.
Even after the security plan is implemented, remember that it is an evolving document. Making adjustments and updates over time is expected and even beneficial.
What to do after creating a security plan
A safety plan is about improving the safety of workers and team members, so the first step after creating and reviewing it should be to share it with everyone involved. However, distributing the information will not guarantee that people will read or even review it. Construction leaders should increase safety training initiatives to ensure everyone is as prepared as possible.
In addition to training, it’s important to inform employees about how the plan will change over time. Continuous updates are necessary to improve its effectiveness. The key is that everyone on the team has a comprehensive safety guide that keeps up with the hazards they face.
Build safer and smarter
Creating a construction safety plan can be a long process, but it’s worth every minute. A safer workplace will help save the lives and careers of millions of employees. It can also save businesses billions of pounds a year, which can go towards improving training and safety equipment rather than compensation for injuries.
A solid safety plan is the first step in empowering the construction workforce to be more prepared, safe and productive.
