What Are The Best Practices For Safety On Construction Sites?

Best Practices for Ensuring Safety on Construction Sites

Safety is the most critical aspect of any construction project, and running an effective safety program is non-negotiable. In this blog, I’ll share actionable steps to create and maintain a safe construction environment. These are methods I’ve used successfully as a superintendent and that have been instrumental in ensuring worker safety and site efficiency.

Let’s dive into the core principles of a successful safety program.

Establish a Comprehensive Safety Program:

A great safety program starts with accessibility and clarity. Forget bulky manuals full of walls of text. Instead, develop a streamlined, visually engaging set of guidelines.

At DPR Construction, I admired their Environmental Health and Safety Manual. It was easily searchable, had bullet points, forms, and visuals—perfect for quick reference. Your safety plan should be just as accessible and easy to implement.

Train Everyone for Safety:

Training is the cornerstone of safety. Make it mandatory for every worker to complete OSHA 10 training, and require foremen to complete OSHA 30 training.
This ensures that:

• Everyone understands safety expectations.
• Workers are familiar with site-specific and company-specific safety plans.
• Communication about safety starts before workers step onto the site.

Consistency in training creates a unified team where everyone is on the same page.

Teach Hazard Identification:

Proactively identifying hazards is vital. During weekly site walks with safety directors like Janet How from DPR, we would:

• Teach workers to recognize potential hazards.
• Develop action plans to address risks.
• Resolve issues promptly—ideally within 24 hours.

This proactive approach keeps safety at the forefront and minimizes incidents.

Enforce the Use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment):

The way someone handles basic PPE—such as safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, and boots—indicates their overall approach to safety.

Key practices:

• Require 100% compliance with PPE rules.
• Make PPE mandatory for everyone on-site.

When workers consistently wear their PPE, they’re more likely to follow other safety protocols as well.

Focus on Big Safety Hazards:

Pay extra attention to high-risk scenarios such as:

• Confined spaces.
• Electrocution hazards.
• Falls or being caught between equipment.
• Excavations requiring shoring.

Adopt a zero-tolerance policy for violations in these critical areas. Always inspect, plan, and monitor rigorously.

Have Emergency Procedures in Place:

Emergencies can cloud judgment, so preparation is essential. Post clear, step-by-step emergency procedures prominently on-site. When a crisis occurs, workers should be able to follow these procedures immediately and confidently.

Enhance Communication and Visual Safety Systems:

Create an environment where safety is evident even in your absence:

• Install handrail systems, warning lines, and lock-out/tag-out systems.
• Use signage and structural elements to guide and protect workers.
• Regularly inspect and maintain these systems.

Visual safety measures ensure ongoing awareness and compliance.

Maintain Accountability:

Accountability is key to fostering a culture of safety. Implement a zero-tolerance policy for violations, not as a punishment, but as a way to:

• Provide retraining and resources for those who need it.
• Address unsafe behaviors promptly.
• Encourage everyone to rise to safety standards.

On projects with over 300 workers, this approach resulted in only a handful of incidents. It demonstrates that people will meet high expectations when accountability is consistent and fair.

Final Thoughts:

Safety is non-negotiable. A safe site is an organized, efficient, and productive site. Start by implementing these practices, and you’ll see a tangible difference in the safety and morale of your team.