As the construction industry evolves, the focus on safety intensifies, marking a significant shift towards protecting its most valuable asset: its workforce. This commitment to safety, similar to bolstering operations with an indestructible shield, highlights an industry-wide move beyond compliance. It’s a culture change, embedding safety into the fabric of daily operations. This evolution not only empowers leaders on the ground but also signals a clear “We’ve got your back” message to every team member.
Below are six trends and factors leading to a stronger focus on EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) in construction:
Stricter regulations: As regulatory authorities like OSHA intensify their oversight, especially noticeable during an election year, there is a significant push for compliance with new regulations addressing issues such as heat, mental health, and union participation in safety inspections. This increased regulatory scrutiny demands a more systematic approach to safety management. Additionally, fines per incident have doubled in recent years, dramatically increasing the cost of non-compliance.
Rising insurance costs and litigation risks: As insurance costs soar, companies are pressured to control or reduce their Experience Modification Rate (EMR). A litigious society further escalates the risk of litigation, making safety an even more critical concern. Proactive measures such as regular safety audits, employee training programs, and adherence to regulatory standards can mitigate these risks. Extensive documentation of safety protocols and incidents is also crucial in defending against potential litigation and controlling insurance costs.
Contractor expectations: Contractors, now more safety-conscious, demand higher safety standards on sites to manage their insurance costs and mitigate litigation risks. This shift requires construction companies to adopt stringent safety policies, necessitates having dedicated safety personnel on-site, and heightens the need to document everything thoroughly.
Labor challenges: The shrinking labor pool and limited construction knowledge among new recruits underscores the need for comprehensive training. The declining trend of construction as a multi-generational family business further complicates this issue, necessitating a focus on creating a safe and attractive work environment for new generations.
Culture of care: Initiatives to improve the overall employment experience are becoming more prevalent. A culture that prioritizes safety is essential to retain workers and foster a sense of community and responsibility among them.
Professionalism in safety management: The increasing emphasis on safety within the construction industry is elevating working environment standards and positioning safety management as a highly sought-after career path. I am pleased to have collaborated with Keene State College, a leader in the expanding field of construction safety, to help develop its B.S. degree program in Construction Safety Sciences.
The focus on creating a safer work environment has become central to the operation of construction companies. But how can technology, particularly software tools, significantly enhance safety?
TABLETS ARE TRANSFORMATIVE
The use of tablets and smartphones in the worksite is on the path to becoming a universal game-changer in construction. In the past decade, we’ve evolved from disorganized papers, bulky binders, and the labor of searching for the right documents.
Tablets are increasingly used for a wide variety of crucial functions in excavation and other civil construction projects. For example, site plans can be easily accessed and updated in real time, allowing for immediate adjustments to be made as needed. Digital logs facilitate the management of preventive maintenance schedules, ensuring timely equipment servicing to prevent unexpected breakdowns. Digitizing maintenance records also offers a comprehensive history of each piece of equipment’s upkeep, enhancing management and accountability.
Furthermore, tablets facilitate the viewing of 3D models of ongoing projects, enabling teams to visualize the result and adjust their work accordingly.
Imagine the tablet foremen typically use for checking off daily tasks and communicating with your team, evolving into a powerful safety-enhancing tool. This is the reality of technology in the workplace today, especially in the construction industry. Safety apps and software are becoming essential at jobsites and are being integrated into daily routines as effortlessly as the morning coffee ritual.
BENEFITS OF SAFETY SOFTWARE
Cutting-edge safety software from companies like HCSS has the potential to transform safety protocols within construction businesses of all sizes.
Here are a few ways these tools make a difference:
Safety inspections: Ensure jobsite and equipment safety with a library of inspection forms and custom templates. Create an accessible audit trail and enhance inspections with text and photo capture.
Safety meetings: Construction safety meeting software transforms safety management by enabling easy meeting recording, digital tracking of attendee signatures, and a comprehensive history accessible company-wide, enhancing efficiency and compliance.
JHAs & JSAs: Enhance safety management by identifying hazards, utilizing standard templates from OSHA and AGC for job hazard analysis (JHA) and job safety analysis (JSA), preventing incidents, and analyzing trends in construction safety—all accessible on mobile devices.
Safety observations: Empower anyone at the jobsite to contribute to safety by anonymously reporting unsafe practices using just a smartphone.
Incidents reporting: Enhance construction site safety with quick and easy and complete incident reporting. Ensure OSHA compliance while swiftly documenting and analyzing incidents to foster a safer workplace.
Near-miss reporting: Transform the safety culture from reactive to proactive by empowering crews to report and analyze near misses, fostering a positive safety environment, and reducing the risks of incidents before they happen.
Training and certification tracking: When selecting equipment for a specific task, it’s crucial to ensure it’s not only the right type for the job but also that it has undergone thorough preventive maintenance. The same principle applies to workers; it is critical to ensure they have the right training and certifications for their tasks. Safety software can streamline and automate this process. Certification and skill tracking software lets your company keep all certifications current, ensuring your team is qualified.
EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY
The journey towards a safer jobsite is ongoing, but with the advent of digital tools and software solutions like those provided by HCSS, companies now have the power to make significant strides. By leveraging technology, construction companies can not only meet the industry’s evolving demands but also protect their most valuable asset—their workforce.
about the author
Jim Goss is senior safety consultant for Heavy Construction Systems Specialists, LLC (HCSS). For more, visit www.hcss.com.