Jobsite Safety Depends on Engaged Workers Using a Defined Plan

This week is Safe + Sound Week, an annual observance by OSHA and other workplace safety organizations that recognizes the successes of workplace safety and health programs, and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe.

A key duty of owners and managers of residential construction firms is to create an environment where everyone is empowered to honestly discuss jobsite safety.

Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. But the only way these programs work is if frontline workers are engaged in the identification of hazards.

For workers to be engaged, management must create an environment that focuses on jobsite safety and then implement a system for workers to express safety concerns without fear of reprisal.

Frontline workers will almost always be the first to identify safety hazards. If they feel free to speak up, the issue can be fixed or safeguarded before there are any problems.

OSHA has suggested programs and activities that encourage worker safety participation. These activities should be year-round and ongoing, but consider using Safe + Sound Week as a natural starting point:

• Speak Up for Safety – Safety reporting systems allow ideas and suggestions for improving safety to be captured. All workers should have access to safety reporting systems and encouraged to participate when they find issues.
• Safety Shoutouts – Safety shoutouts provide immediate recognition and can reinforce teamwork and collaboration. Management should start with shouting out workers who practice safety, but workers should be encouraged to provide their own shoutouts to each other.
• Halt a Hazard – This program focuses on fixing one specific safety hazards. After a hazard has been identified by either management or workers, involve everyone to brainstorm ideas on how to fix it.

An unused or ignored safety program is worthless. Make sure everyone on your jobsites is engaged in the program and proactively putting safety first. NAHB has resources to help home builders create and implement their safety program.