In construction, safety entails the implementation of rules, regulations, and general protection at sites to prevent workers from sustaining injuries or illnesses. Failure to take adequate precautions can potentially lead to severe injuries, death, and lawsuits. Therefore, ThirdWall Construction always strives to stay in compliance with the standards introduced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Why Safety Is Important To ThirdWall Construction
At ThirdWall Construction, safety is an integral part of achieving successful projects, maximum productivity, and a positive work environment.
ThirdWall Construction values and prioritizes safety above anything else because:
- One in ten construction workers is injured every year (including both severe and non-serious injuries). We aim to ensure that this figure is consistently reduced each year.
(Source: Industrial Safety & Hygiene News) - The top four types of construction-related injuries that lead to death are falls, being caught between two objects, (a hydraulic bed and a truck frame, a dock wall and a semi-trailer, etc.) electrocutions, (overhead power lines, extension cords, defective or damaged equipment, etc.) and being struck by an object (a wrecking ball, poorly installed scaffolding, nail gun discharges, etc.).
(Source: Environment, Health & Safety Today) - Falls are the major cause of construction-related fatal injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), falls, trips, and slips represented 37.9 percent of all fatalities in the construction industry in 2019. This marked a 22.9 percent increase from 2018.
(Source: Center for Construction Research and Training)
How ThirdWall Construction Commits To Safety
From a safety standpoint, all projects are planned before they start. All stakeholders are required to provide detailed plans for eliminating, controlling, or minimizing the potential hazards or exposures that can be foreseen. Common examples of construction site safety hazards include excavation and trench collapse, scaffolding collapse, electrical hazards, and contamination from materials that include harmful chemicals (or otherwise toxic substances) such as asbestos, lead, and mercury.
Additionally, ThirdWall Construction has a safety committee established as a management tool to recommend improvements to our workplace safety program and to identify corrective measures needed to eliminate or control recognized safety and health hazards.
Finally, all employees receive thorough training on all of the equipment, methods, and vehicles they use. Construction workers should always be prepared by using proper work methods and by using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, and safety goggles.
How ThirdWall Construction Communicates With Employees About Safety
- Jobsite safety meetings
- Safety team meetings
- Safety posters and handouts
- Individual contact
- Third-party training sessions
- Internal job-site inspections and shared reports – routine inspections are essential to ensure that all safety hazards are properly managed and controlled.
- Employee recognition program for safe work behavior
OSHA Safety Training Certifications
OSHA offers a variety of 10-hour and 30-hour workplace safety training certification courses that cover many different topics, including aerial boom lift safety, nail gun safety, workplace first aid, and ladder and stairway protection. Enrollment in these courses can ultimately make the difference between a safe construction environment and a dangerous one. Whether workers are using a small tool such as a hammer or operating heavy machinery such as a crane, it’s critical to follow proper construction safety protocols.
At ThirdWall Construction, safety is everyone’s business!