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Seven Tips to Ensure a Safe Working Environment on a Construction Site

November 18, 2022
Chloe Taylor
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It is your duty as a business owner to encourage a secure work environment and make sure your employees avoid avoidable mishaps and injuries. Employees enjoy working in an environment free of accidents and injuries since it increases their output and morale. But regrettably, accidents at work happen often these days, regardless of the type of organization. 

In fact, according to the BLS, businesses reported more than 2.8 million non-fatal injuries and occupational illnesses in 2017. This suggests that there are three occupational injuries for every 100 employees.

That said, these accidents and injuries happen when workers disregard safety guidelines. Although each industry has its own safety regulations that employees must abide by, accidents seem to occur more frequently in the construction sector. 

A simple Google search reveals that more than 40,000 workers are hurt yearly because of falling in Canada. As dynamic as the country is, as more and more construction projects are initiated, the percentage of workers getting injured, feeling pain, or suffering from substance-related illnesses increases. 

Knowing how strict labor laws are in Canada, it would be ideal if you carefully safeguard on-site employees. With that in mind, here are a few tips. 

  • Provide Safety Gear to Workers

Unexpected incidents and unknown safety risks are common at construction sites. Therefore, giving your construction site workers the most recent safety gear and equipment makes sense to guarantee they remain as safe and secure as possible. 

Ultimately, something as simple as searching online for prescription safety glasses Canada on any popular search engine will help provide the best eye safety gear for your workers to avoid unwanted eye damage. 

Hard hats, eye protection, three-point harnesses, and hearing protection are some of the necessary safety equipment workers need. Moreover, things like heavy-duty gloves, gas masks, slip-resistant steel-toe boots, and clothing for workers should also be provided to ensure their safety.

  • Communicate with On-Site Workers

Your construction employees’ safety and security depend on effective communication. Workers at a building site must be constantly alert to potential health concerns and other external dangers. Therefore, it is essential to encourage employees to share information with management regarding areas of the safety plan that need to be changed. Additionally, they must be urged to report any prospective places that pose a health risk.

  • Inspect Tools and Equipment Regularly

Heavy machinery and equipment are necessary for construction workers to do their work quickly and successfully. It is extremely dangerous if construction equipment breaks down during operation as it can cause limb loss or, in extreme situations, death. 

According to OSHA, failing machinery and equipment are to blame for around 75% of construction site accidents.

Construction organizations can prevent failure and malfunction by doing routine inspections and maintenance on their heavy machinery and construction equipment. Additionally, routinely maintained equipment will operate more effectively and guarantee that your building project is completed ahead of schedule.

  • Inspect the Construction Site Thoroughly 

A construction company’s responsibility is to assess a construction site thoroughly to find any potential dangers or hazards before beginning any project. When creating your safety plan, you may consider all factors by identifying these safety risks and hazards and the possible accidents they might cause. 

Therefore, this will prevent occupational risks and accidents from happening when you least expect them. Plus, doing so will also allow you to devise an emergency response plan if a worker suffers from a life-threatening construction-related injury.

Once you’ve done that, give this plan to your workers and instruct them to carry it with them at all times. They will be able to deal with problems as they come up while keeping an eye out for dangers in certain parts of the construction site.

  • Use Signage to Warn Workers of Potential Dangers and Hazards

Construction site engineers should direct project managers to place warning signs near high-voltage cables and other places where electrocution could occur. On the other hand, power must be turned off in certain areas until personnel finishes any task that requires them to be in a location with a greater risk of electrocution.

Project managers, contractors, and owners must fence off these regions using pylons, ropes, and obstacles to prevent workers from entering high-risk zones unnecessarily. When attempting to keep the building site as safe as possible for your workers, posting signs stating “Risk of Fall” or “Danger” is an excellent idea to ensure workers know what they’re getting into. 

  • Give Regular Breaks to On-Site Workers

Working on a construction site requires a lot of physical effort. Sadly, construction workers are not superhumans and are susceptible to stress and exhaustion like everyone else. As a result, project managers and contractors should provide their on-site employees with frequent breaks, whether it be a 15-minute rest period to stretch or an hour-long lunch break to relax and fuel up.

Nevertheless, some on-site employees might desire to use their break to generate extra income. Therefore, it is your duty as the owner to encourage them to take a break and rest their bodies. The probability of dangers and mishaps will significantly decrease by doing something like this!

  • Evaluate Construction Site Workers Before Hiring Them

When trying to prevent accidents and injuries, knowing if your on-site staff has the professional expertise and physical capability to do construction-related jobs safely and effectively will go a long way. For example, work on a construction site is typically more physically demanding than other types of work. Therefore, you must assess candidates before hiring them.

You must ensure your on-site workers are in top mental and physical shape if the job description calls for them to undertake demanding jobs, operate large machinery, or be exposed to hazardous substances and chemicals. This is probably the best construction site safety advice anyone can give you!

The Final Words

Unfortunately, accidents and injuries in the construction industry will always occur, either due to your negligence or a worker’s. Nevertheless, you must take the necessary precautions to keep your on-site workers as far away from these accident-prone places as possible. 

Furthermore, you must also be prepared to provide workers with the treatment they need to get back on their feet if they suffer an injury. After all, happy employees will work more productively and guarantee that your construction project remains on schedule.

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Seven Tips to Ensure Your Construction Project Goes Smoothly

October 26, 2022
Chloe Taylor
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A construction site is a wild place to work, and it entails planning and organization to keep projects on schedule, within your budget, and ensure the safety of everyone on-site. As the construction industry is constantly progressing, finding a balance between everything you can do to make your project successful is challenging. 

Although there is a fine line between completing your project successfully and efficiently, in almost every scenario, being efficient with resources, time and money are vital. With that in mind, we have compiled some tips to ensure your construction project moves without hassles.

Budgeting Efficiently 

Construction project managers frequently overspend their budgets, and because of that, you must keep your budget in mind, cover all of the costs and stretch it as much as possible so you don’t go overboard. Make your budget realistic and anticipate additional unforeseen costs. It would help if you found a reliable supplier willing to work within your budget.  

Set daily targets for every Team member 

Setting daily targets for individual team members to achieve will help to establish a clear understanding of what is expected from everyone. Once a list of tasks and instructions is given, and everyone is on the same page, there will be less ambiguity, and it will be easier to avoid mistakes and experience setbacks. 

Moreover, to increase the productivity of the workers who are putting in hours after hours of manual labor, you can provide incentives like free meals and drinks after work whenever daily targets are met; this will help to increase productivity at work. 

On-site Office and Storage Facility 

A safe space for project managers, office staff, and other necessary personnel involved in project planning and other administrative tasks is needed. A ventilated and equipped area for the accommodation and storage of paperwork, tools, and equipment is necessary to avoid damage and loss. 

In these circumstances, a shipping container purchase would be an excellent idea. It can serve as a restroom for construction crew which will help them work in harsh environments. 

Second, give proper safety training, especially if the workers are working at high heights, and training to use machinery safely is also crucial to avoid minor or major injuries. Finally, use clear signs and posters for potential dangers like falling objects, gas, and chemicals to make everyone more cautious and avoid accidents.

Practice good communication and build relationships 

Maintain a good flow of communication with your team and investors; avoiding mistakes, confusion, and surprises is vital. Being open to suggestions and ideas and responding appropriately to complaints will help you to build transparency within the team which is essential to gain trust and to maintain a good relationship with the team. 

Spending time with your team apart from work will help you to connect with them, and treating everyone equally is also crucial, so no one feels left out. That does not mean you should lose your assertive edge, be a team player and get things done. 

Use a 3D model to calculate QTO (Quantity Takeoffs)

If you want to make plans, calculations, and drawings, you should eliminate old tools like pens and paper. Switch to a 3D model to help you gather valuable data. Create a comprehensive construction design covering all the information you and your team will need to complete your project impeccably. 

This will help you calculate your quantity takeoffs and the correct material required. You will also be able to play different approaches, like using a different material for the same area to complete your project and choose the most efficient one. 

Construction Site Safety 

You mustn’t compromise the safety of your workers to save costs. There are several ways you can ensure everyone’s safety, First, invest in appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like helmets, goggles, footwear, etc. 

Automate repetitive processes 

Time is of the essence for any construction project. Automating repetitive and monotonous tasks can save you and your crew time. Automation can also help you reduce the risk of injuries by taking on riskier jobs and providing more precision in work. 

One such example of automation is the use of flying drones to perform surveillance duties. Another example is project management solutions which help you assign tasks, give reminders, announce, and help you track the project’s progress. 

The time saved from automating processes can be used to exercise critical thinking and creatively find solutions for other problems.  

Conclusion 

To effectively complete your construction project, you can follow some simple tips. You can use a shipping container as an office, storage, and rest space, as it is crucial to protect the equipment and paperwork from harm and theft. 

Try not to go overboard with your budget; it is important to get a reliable supplier who can work within your budget and always expect unforeseen costs. Moreover, setting daily tasks for everyone will help to clear out any ambiguities and avoid setbacks. 

This is important; never compromise the safety of your workers. Please provide them with protective gear and training for safety, especially while using machinery. Keeping the flow of communication is vital so there is transparency and everyone is on the same page. This will also help you to build a better relationship with everyone. 

Using a 3D model to design your construction plan is more effective as it lets you experiment and calculate quantity takeoffs. Automating riskier and tedious processes will speed them up and provide more precision. 

Therefore, having a great team and being a good leader will always get you great results, even though construction work can sometimes be challenging. Following the tips we mentioned will help ensure your construction project goes smoothly.  

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Safety Tips For Construction And Home Improvement Workers

July 31, 2021
Chloe Taylor
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What’s the importance of the construction industry in the Australian economy? A report by the National Industry Insights shows that this industry produces more than $360 billion in revenue that generates 9% of the country’s GDP. It’s estimated that, by 2024, the home improvement and construction industry will employ 1.28 million Australians as well. But occupational hazards have made construction and home remodeling/renovation one of the most dangerous industries in the country. According to Safe Work Australia, 17 construction workers died in 2020, and this industry was considered the second-worst for employees in the same year. So, how can employers ensure the safety of their workers? We’ve compiled some suggestions here to help constructors enhance workers’ protection:

Organize health & safety training

It’s the employer’s responsibility to prepare employees for occupational hazards associated with the construction industry. Therefore, health & safety training ensures that workers are familiar with the dangers that can befall them and strategies to prevent such accidents from occurring. Even OSHA recommends similar training sessions for construction employees. These sessions teach them about escaping dangerous situations, e.g., working at height, in confined spaces, or with heavy machinery.

Establish a safety culture

Worksite managers and home improvement contractors need to establish a culture of safety in the working environment. Prioritize workers’ health, safety, and overall well-being. Safety culture includes not just implementing the suggestions we’ll talk about now. But it also means that you must remove hazards even before they harm your workers.

There have been several instances where construction workers were diagnosed with mesothelioma – cancer caused by asbestos exposure. So, eliminate all traces of dust, mold, and asbestos. If you’re working in Southeast Queensland, look up “asbestos removal Brisbane” on the internet to get specialized help for clearing toxic substances from the premises. Similarly, run a quick local search to identify companies in your neighborhood that provide niche services to keep your worksite safe and enhance your safety culture.

Keep the first-aid kit at hand

Accidents are often unprecedented and require instant action to reduce their consequences. Thus, ensure that finding the first-aid kit isn’t difficult. Employees must know how to locate it. Ascertain that it’s visible and accessible to encounter accidents when you least expect them. Remember that “time is of the essence” when a worker gets wounded. A quick remedy can potentially save a person’s life. Hence, delegate to one employee the task of keeping the first-aid kit well-stocked for disasters.

Avoid crowded areas

Ensure that the workplace isn’t crowded to avoid unfortunate accidents. People often assemble to watch heavy machinery at work on-site for enjoyment. Caution dictates that spectators should keep their distance from these machines and must never approach them beyond the limit of safety. Moreover, healthcare guidelines during this pandemic discourage crowded workplaces to eliminate the risk of infection among workers. So, ensure people remain distant from the operating location.

Wear head protection

Ensure that construction workers have access to proper PPE (personal protection equipment) to avoid injuries/fatalities. Falling objects contribute heavily to workplace accidents. Protective devices – therefore – eliminate dangers associated with threats such as exposed wiring and low-hanging items. In areas where workers are vulnerable to falling objects, wearing “hard hats” ascertains the safety of your employees. This piece of equipment protects workers against hidden/sudden dangers on-site.

Ensure forklift safety

According to OSHA, forklifts account for 100 deaths and 95,000 injuries annually in all industries. But further injuries/fatalities can be prevented by implementing forklift safety measures. Forklifts are dangerous machines only experienced professionals must operate. These machines are also operated nearby other workers so injuries can be diminished by strict regulations. These regulations dictate how forklifts must now be modified with prior approval only.

Implement fall protection

Poor scaffolding contributes to several wounds/deaths in the home improvement industry. OSHA reports that around 2.3 million construction employees use this technique annually. It’s even dangerous when appropriately erected, and only alert workers can escape falling. So, it’s essential to inspect scaffolding for stability. Transport material carefully upwards and consider weight limits when ascending them. Also, keep framing 10 feet away from power lines to make them safer for your workers.

Display clear signs

Accidents don’t engulf construction employees only, but even bystanders are also vulnerable to such dangers on-site. It’s crucial to display clear signs of danger for both workers and onlookers. This practice will highlight the risks associated with the workplace and strongly advise people to take precautions. For instance, these signs can indicate hazards, including falling objects, chemicals in the vicinity, or heavy machinery nearby. It constitutes a cost-effective method of saving people’s lives.

Employee wellness programs

Many employers organize employee wellness programs targeted towards improving the mental and physical health of construction workers. These programs will cover workers’ dietary habits, obesity management, hypertension screening, and alcohol abuse to prevent burnout in your organization.

Moreover, employers must ensure that workers aren’t consuming junk food on-site. Focus on healthy eating/drinking with fruits and vegetables. Keep food trucks off the location and promote nutritional meals among employees.

There’s an app for everything

We’re living in a modern world where there’s a smartphone application available for anything you need! Similarly, we have digital applications for the construction industry you can install to monitor the workplace effectively. We have wearable devices that alert everyone when an accident occurs. These devices have become popular among construction employees because they minimize danger to workers. So, use these “smart” solutions to enhance the safety of home improvement workers.

Conclusion

What job is the most hazardous for an Australian worker? Experts have listed all occupations based on hazards associated with them, and construction – after agriculture and transport – ranks third! Some calculations show that 123 construction workers died during 2008-09 to 2012-13. These deaths were caused by falling from heights, being struck by falling objects, or getting electrocuted. This industry also accounts for 16% of workplace deaths and 11% of workplace injury claims. Investing in workers’ safety isn’t just mandatory for employers, but it is also cost-effective since every dollar spent on safety training saves you 4-6 dollars! So, do implement the safety tips we’ve mentioned in this article.

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7 Most Common Mistakes When Building a New House and How to Avoid Them

June 28, 2020
Chloe Taylor
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Building a new home is one of the most exciting projects there are. However, it’s important to think everything through. Poor planning, when paired with too small of a budget, can lead to disastrous mistakes, and cutting corners is not an option when building a new home. Before you jump into a full-scale homebuilding process, there are a couple of things you need to be cautious about in order to save yourself from the typical home-building pitfalls. Here’s a list of the seven most common mistakes made when building a home and what you can do to successfully avoid them, saving yourself both time and money.

A poorly planned design of the home

When building your new home, one of the most important things you can do is think in advance. Not taking the time to think about your long-term goals will result in the poorly planned design of your home. Therefore, think about what your long-term goals are. Are you planning on having children or expanding your family? How long do you plan on staying there? Will it be suitable to live in once you reach old age? Although these things seem so far from the present, they ought to be considered. After all, you’re designing the home for your future self.

Constructing the home without any building know-how

Constructing your home is a personal decision, and tackling the building on your own is acceptable if you’re experienced, have the know-how and the time to do it right. However, if you’re someone who has no clue how to build a home, hiring a professional will save you time and money. Or you can let the experts tackle only certain rooms. Hire it done – opt for reliable kitchen manufacturers to design your dream kitchen and rely on an experienced plumber to install plumbing. That way, you’ll know that everything is done properly and will last you for a long time.

Placing the rooms in areas not suitable for them

Where you decide to place certain rooms is a matter of personal choice and preference. However, there are some general rules you should stick to when deciding on your home’s floor plan. You certainly don’t want your bedroom to be next to central living areas where there’s a lot of noise and traffic. Rather, place your bedroom at the far end of the house to ensure some peace and quiet. On the other hand, it would be best to place your kitchen near the dining and living areas, and close to your garage or back entrance for smooth traffic flow.

Building rooms that won’t be utilized as much

When you’re designing the house of your dreams, you and your partner might have different ideas of what it is supposed to look like. While you might want a home that is small and practical, your partner might want to have rooms for specific purposes. Before you start building, think about whether you’re really going to utilize this additional room. In case you decide to build a spare room, make sure it is a multi-purpose room. A home office that can easily transition to a guest room is certainly going to be used more often than say, a sewing room.

Poorly planned storage spaces

Storage is basically the prime real estate of the home. Although not the most exciting part of designing a home, making sure there is enough storage space is a crucial part of building a house. While you’d probably much rather spend time picking the finishes for your countertops and focusing on smaller cabinetry details, the aesthetics and finishing touches should be near the bottom of your priority list. Plenty of storage can go a long way in improving the functionality of your home and can have a huge influence on your lifestyle and organization once the construction process is complete.

Insufficient sources of natural light

In order to design a living space that is bright and airy, you need to make sure that natural light is abundant. Make sure that your contractors understand that you want to incorporate as much natural light as possible. Poorly lit interiors won’t do anything good neither for the atmosphere nor for the overall aesthetics of your home. Sometimes it doesn’t really matter how much square footage you’re working with as long as you know how to make the most of it, and proper lighting can completely transform the space, making the room feel more spacious than it really is.

Painting the walls in bold colors

Last but not least, a common mistake that many homeowners make when building their new home is related to colors. Choosing bold colors for your home might seem like a good idea now when they’re en vogue, but in a couple of years, those same trendy hues might date your interiors, making them look old and passé. Therefore, it’s best to stick with classic and timeless shades. A neutral color palette will look great in five, maybe even ten years. If not, it’s still easier to paint over a white or beige wall than the one covered in bright red.

There you have it – seven common mistakes to avoid when building your new home. Keep them in mind so you can design a space that will suit all your needs and look great, too!

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Convenient Ways to Make Construction Process Easier and Faster

July 22, 2019
Chloe Taylor
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Unsurprisingly, the field of construction is physically and mentally challenging. Workers are tirelessly rendering their services on the construction site while exposing themselves to countless dangers. In the 21st century, don’t you think the construction industry should also evolve? To boost efficiency and generate better returns, it needs cutting-edge tools and resources.

It could be in the form of pre-construction planning, site management, employee safety, and risk mitigation. These things foster construction site efficiency while allowing supervisors to work on the pressing concerns of this sector. If you are thinking about how to speed up the construction process, look below. Here are six convenient ways to make the construction process easier and faster.

Invest in Construction Management Software

After changing the dynamics of business, educational institutes, and the manufacturing sector, technology continues to transform the construction industry. You can find multiple construction management software to organize yourself by getting rid of the paperwork from desks. Similarly, it handles all the management tasks, billings, invoices, timesheets, job scheduling, and much more. With everything organized in one place, you can readily speed up the construction process.

Have a Backup Plan

Sometimes, things don’t go the way you imagine. There could be potential delays due to natural calamities, thunderstorms, or power outages, making it essential to have a backup plan. You can invest in generators to combat electricity issues as they are pretty affordable. Look for websites like https://www.ablesales.com.au/diesel-generators-perth-melbourne-brisbane/diesel-generator/ to grab the best prices. Similarly, in the case of thunderstorms, keep yourself updated by looking at weather forecasts.

Train Workers & Supervisors

Training is one of the crucial aspects when it comes to improving efficiency. Supervisors need sound management techniques to keep the projects running smoothly, while workers have to master critical skills. For instance, you can teach workers a more efficient way to install steel beams, complete work quickly, and move to the next phase. Moreover, to reduce waste and redundant practices, consider opting for LEAN training. It promotes collaborative teamwork to improve performance by replacing wasteful steps with ones that add value.

Service & Maintain Equipment

In construction sites, equipment is nothing less than workhorses. Without specialized machinery, getting work done is impossible. Therefore, one way to make the construction process faster is by focusing on equipment management. Alongside lasting longer, you can enjoy lower overhead costs. You can either sign service agreements, providing maximum care across the machine’s lifetime. Otherwise, you can find ways to maximize the fleet’s fuel economy. These systems monitor your equipment, review data for better costs, and detect performance anomalies.

Improve Communication

Do you communicate with workers? Your role might be limited to supervision, but it is imperative to make yourself available to the crew. Eliminate all the communication barriers, letting workers come to you with any problems that arise. Likewise, tell them your expectations and completion goals to make sure everyone is on the same page. Make it a daily habit of meeting workers, getting feedback to detect any pitfalls, and seeing how much they have accomplished. You can also select one day in a week to review processes, answer questions, and brainstorm solutions.

Offer Performance Incentives

Motivated workers are nothing less than a treasure when it comes to construction work. Why not offer performance incentives to keep their morale up? Bring in some production management models that rewards site manager and crew members. It monitors performance and determines the workers who meet the project benchmarks. As far as rewards are concerned, it can be monetary and non-monetary. Thus, you can offer cash bonuses, gifts, praise, or a day off from work.

Final Word

Even though we are witnessing countless technological changes, construction sites work differently. They are solely dependent on human resources, meaning to pump up the processes; you have to ensure relevant measures. Alongside bringing technology, make sure to implement strategies that can motivate employees, keeping their productivity levels up.

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Smooth Decorator is a website dedicated to our little sanctuaries from the hustle and bustle of the outside world – to our homes, sweet homes. We believe that the foundation of a quality life needs to be set right there, in the place where we first dream things up, and that only when we organized our homes can we hope to organize the rest of our everyday existence.

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