Construction and engineering companies are magnets for injury claims. This isn’t surprising considering that many of the activities on a construction site are performed with high-powered equipment and in hazardous locations. Sometimes, job sites are heavily polluted because of the use of aggregates. Construction sites often have proper precautionary measures in place for their employees. Nonetheless, most of these hazards still make the business prone to risks and other threats. When this happens, construction owners may face lawsuits.
How Construction Owners Can Protect Their Business
Provide Safety Training Provision for All Employees
It is the duty of the employer to provide training for all their employees. They should be at the forefront of educating their workforce on proper safety standards, along with the identified hazards of their jobs and how they can be best prevented. Training employees on the different safety precautions lessens the possibility of injuring other people who may access the site’s areas.
Conduct Regular Toolbox Meetings
Hold regular toolbox meetings before the workday begins so each employee knows their roles and responsibilities ahead. It is also an excellent way to anticipate any problems or issues that may arise. Suppose the previous workday ended with a broken construction safety net; this can readily be addressed during the toolbox meeting. Toolbox meetings also address potential issues that may arise within the job site. For example, if the project signage for your California site did not arrive in time, your workers can immediately create temporary signage to announce to passersby that there may be construction debris and other hazards.
Issue Proper Construction Safety Signages
According to Walnut Creek workers comp lawyers, one of the common causes of workplace injury claims in California construction sites is the lack of warning signage. While construction companies may invest in personal protective equipment (PPE) for their workers, the problems arise when those not involved in the project would go near the site and get involved in an accident. Placing signages like “Falling Debris Ahead,” “Construction Ongoing,” and “Fall Hazard” will help inform workers and civilians of the risks of standing too close to a construction site.
Encourage Maintaining Workplace Cleanliness
Maintaining workplace cleanliness is also an effective way of ensuring the health and safety of workers and civilians. Removing debris can prevent slips and falls that may cause serious injuries. A clean workplace means storing tools and equipment after use and not leaving any items on the floor. Cleaning the surrounding area of the construction site prevents injury to other people. For example, your workers should pick up nails and other sharp objects that your workers may step on while they walk around the construction site.
Prevent Unauthorized Entry to Job Sites
As much as possible, you should inform your workers that people who are not directly involved in the project should not enter the job site area. These hazardous areas should only be limited to engineers, architects, and other technical personnel with direct involvement in the project. Even these people must only be allowed inside when they are wearing PPE, such as safety helmets, construction boots, and reflective vests to ensure that they reduce any injuries should an accident occur inside the job site.
For individuals who may get in an accident on a construction site, they should know the proper ways to seek medical advice and what to do in case there is negligence on the part of the construction owner or workers, as it is a crucial factor in the case. Consulting with a worker’s comp lawyer can help. Construction site owners must ensure that all precautionary measures are in place in all their sites so they don’t have to deal with any costly time-consuming lawsuits.
