Construction crews do important work to keep roadways safe for drivers. However, the job does come with some safety risks that require careful planning to mitigate.
With the proper tools and guidelines, the job site can become a safer place. Good communication and consistency is the key to creating a safety plan that works. Of course, it’s always best to have a comprehensive Construction Insurance plan in place to protect your workers and business in the event that an accident does occur.
Worker Gear
Construction workers need to outfit themselves properly to protect themselves from the elements, debris, and potentially hazardous substances. Long pants and boots that completely cover and support the food are essentials.
Safety glasses, hard hats, and gloves are other everyday accessories that each worker needs. A face mask can be useful in some situations to block out dust created from drilling and digging. Each employee should wear a brightly colored safety vest at all times so workers are visible to other members of the crew and nearby traffic.
Barriers and Traffic Control
There are some easy methods to ensure safety in road construction. Marking off the construction site and putting up barriers to keep out traffic is the best option. If it is not possible to completely eliminate through traffic, clearly mark vehicle lanes so there is no confusion.
If roadwork is restricting traffic to one lane, have employees direct traffic. They should communicate with radios to keep each other apprised of what is happening and remain in sync. Always keep your crew members in plain sight and avoid any blind spots where they would be at greater risk of an accident from passing traffic.
Equipment
You need to train your employees to operate all equipment safely and effectively. They should feel comfortable and confident in their skills before running any type of machinery.
Have all the equipment serviced and inspected regularly to spot any problems and damage before they can cause an injury or require costly repairs. Construction Insurance can cover your property and equipment, as well as liability and worker’s compensation if you get the right policy.
Safety Program
Have a set of rules in place to keep your employees and construction site safe and comply with all federal guidelines. You should include everything from a reminder to hydrate and wear sunscreen, to basic equipment safety.
Make sure that your program covers all of the standard information such as what to do in an emergency and how to get in touch with management when needed.
Prevention of any injury or damage is best, so be sure that you hold regular meetings to keep all of your staff up-to-date on expected safety measures. A few simple measures can go a long way toward making the job run smoothly and safely.
About Haughn & Associates
Founded by Michael Haughn in 1986, Haughn & Associates is a full-service, family-owned, independent insurance agency based out of Dublin, Ohio. H&A strives to provide the best possible price and unique insurance solutions across a myriad of industries, including construction, IT, Habitation & Commercial Property, Agriculture, and Engineering. Devoted to providing the best of business insurance, life and disability insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and bonds, H&A is proof that success lies in long-standing client relations and satisfaction. To learn more about how H&A can be of service to you, contact us at (877) 802-2278.
