The Three “E”s Of Construction Workplace Safety
Organizing and managing construction is a complex job. It is a delicate balance getting the right materials, workers, and machines on-site at the right time.
Ensuring a project stays on time, under budget, and safe is an expansive undertaking, whether for construction, civil infrastructure, or other general jobs. General contractors and other site managers are responsible for managing all these aspects.
In the context of construction workplace safety, the Three "E"s often refer to three critical pillars that support a comprehensive safety program:
- Evaluation
- Education
- Enforcement
Each of these elements plays a vital role in creating a safe working environment for construction workers, so let's take a look at what each of them means and how to implement them on your worksites.
1. Evaluation Of Safety Hazards
You can’t implement workplace safety standards if you don’t understand the hazards your workers will encounter on-site. Evaluating safety hazards on a construction site involves a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks.
During any job, include all stakeholders to assess hazards before starting any new task or phase of the project. This evaluation should include a review of the site and its potential hazards, equipment expected to be used, and past incidents.
Some examples of evaluation methods that you can use include:
- Risk Matrix: Use a risk matrix to categorize hazards based on their potential impact and probability of occurrence.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Review the SDS for all chemicals and hazardous materials you expect to use on-site.
- Ergonomic Assessments: Evaluate tasks for ergonomic risks, such as repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and awkward postures.
- OSHA: Review regulatory requirements concerning safety for the type of work you plan to perform.
2. Education For Safe Work
Education involves training and informing workers about safety protocols, potential hazards, and safe practices. It isn’t enough to inform workers about potential hazards; it must also provide guidelines on best practices and methods to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
Some examples of education methods that you can use include:
- Manuals: Just keeping a library of detailed manuals, guidelines, and safety resources available to workers on site can go a long way to helping with safety knowledge.
- Training Programs: Reference materials are excellent, but in-person training, held on-site, is a great way to demonstrate and talk about site-specific hazards and procedures.
- Certifications: Ensure that workers have the necessary certifications and licenses, and provide them access to pursue certifications they lack.
- Toolbox Talks: Short, informal safety meetings held daily on-site to discuss specific hazards or procedures.
Equipment and industry standards are constantly evolving. Your training materials should undergo reviews and updates regularly to keep pace with these changes. And even workers who have received training should periodically undergo a refresher course.
3. Enforcement Of Safety Lapses
Enforcement ensures that safety policies and procedures are followed consistently and violations are addressed. While enforcement is often associated with the negative consequences of when a rule is broken, such as penalties or terminations, the best way to do enforcement is to solidify good behavior.
Some examples of enforcement methods that you can use include:
- Inspections: Regular on-site inspections to identify and rectify safety hazards at the source.
- Disciplinary Measures: Implementing and adhering to disciplinary actions for non-compliance with safety rules.
- Safety Audits: Conduct periodic safety audits to evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs and identify areas for improvement.
Establish safety committees to review hazard reports, monitor the effectiveness of control measures, and recommend improvements. Actively seek and incorporate worker input on safety improvements, and be sure to encourage workers to report hazards and unsafe conditions.
Bonus ‘E’ For Engineering
Engineering focuses on designing and implementing safety measures and equipment in the physical work environment. Implement physical changes to the work environment to eliminate or reduce hazards.
This can include using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets, gloves, and safety harnesses. And extend to installing guards and other safety devices on machinery and equipment to prevent accidents.
Safety First Crane Rental
By integrating evaluations, education, engineering, and enforcement, construction companies can create a holistic approach to workplace safety that protects their workers and minimizes risks.
If you have never rented a crane before or are looking for a new rental company to partner with, Parker's Crane provides quality crane rental, rigging, and heavy hauling services throughout the Carolinas and the East Coast. We pride ourselves on safety and our Zero Accident Philosophy and conduct many detailed safety measures when performing a job to ensure that no project carries unnecessary risk.
We will work with you on the project from pre-planning on-site assessments through the project's conclusion. You aren't just getting equipment when renting a crane through us. We provide the following benefits and services to our customers.
- Site hazard analysis and daily risk assessments
- A well-maintained fleet with transportation to the site
- All of our operators, riggers, and signal persons are OSHA-qualified personnel
- 24/7 Emergency service
Whether you only need us for a few hours or a month, contact us today to discuss your construction project. We provide free on-site quotes, and our dedicated team stands ready to help provide you with any assistance in selecting the crane and crew for your job.