Tips for Construction Site Safety Compliance
Posted by Clarion Safety Systems | 18th Jun 2019
How to Increase Safety at a Construction Site
A construction site is an
inherently risky place. There is large equipment moving in seemingly random
patterns without traffic lights. Workers are climbing on temporary scaffoldings
or unfinished floors and ceilings. Electrical equipment, power cords and wires
appear to take up every bit of free space. Because of this controlled chaos,
construction safety should be at a premium. Of the 25 most dangerous jobs in America,
various jobs in construction are listed at least nine times.
We understand the challenges of keeping a work site safe at Clarion Safety Systems. It’s not always an easy task, but paying attention to regulations and compliance issues does a couple of things for your company: it keeps workers safer and it protects your company from lawsuits. By meeting or exceeding the regulations for your work site you put your company in its best possible position.
The Importance of Construction Compliance
Even in today’s era of
regulation reform, construction companies face a long list of regulations they
must follow. These run the gamut from environmental rules to labor issues, but
among the most important of these are safety rules. In the U.S., the primary
agency responsible for worker safety in the construction trades is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Its various roles associated with construction site
safety include the following:
- Worker training standards
- Compliance guidance for companies and workers
- Enforcement of standards
- Worker rights
- Suicide prevention
- Heat safety
- Fall prevention
Compliance with OSHA regulations is at best a complicated task even for a company doing its utmost to meet all standards. Some of the standards involve difficult to interpret language. There are also many regulations that change each year and volumes of data and information to keep up with. Many companies may find it helpful to partner with a company that is experienced with the regulatory environment and how to maintain compliance.
The Main Areas to Focus On
OSHA publishes a booklet entitled “Recommended
Practices for Safety & Health Programs in Construction.” This booklet
identifies several areas where a company can enhance its work site for better
safety. Among the most important of these is to establish a health and safety
program at each job site. It addresses the importance of management and worker
participation in safety initiatives and the identification of potential
hazards. It establishes the necessity of good communication and evaluation and
continued improvement of a program. The booklet also covers the best ways to
manage and control hazards.
The Importance of Confined Space Warnings
One area in particular
that poses a danger to construction workers is entering a confined space that
may be hazardous. Perhaps the best way to address confined space safety is with
clearly visible warning labels. These alert workers to a hazard that might not
be self-evident. We print several warning labels for
confined spaces
at Clarion, including the following:
- Warning/Confined space label
- No access for unauthorized persons label
- Do not enter label
- Danger/permit required label
The labels clearly identify the space as dangerous with bright graphics and often additional text. They are made of premium polyester to stand up to time and the elements. The graphics make the message clear for all workers, regardless of language spoken, and they meet the best practices of ANSI and ISO designs.
The Overall Role of Signage
Overall, proper signage on
a construction work site plays an important role in compliance. In certain
situations, OSHA requires that workers be notified in clear language and
symbols that a danger is present. Failure to post required signage can result
in your company receiving citations and fines. If there is an injury or death
as a result of inadequate signage, your company can be fined or be named in a
lawsuit.
At Clarion Safety Systems our products help you meet compliance standards. Not only do we offer OSHA compliance signage, but we have labels and warnings that meet the design standards of the following organizations:
- ANSI
- ISO
- REACH
- UL
- CEMA
- GHS
We have specific labels for electrocution, general danger, arc flash, emergency stop and many more. They are all designed to be clear, informative and to comply with all regulations. The labels, warning signs and lockout/tagout notices can be produced in several languages for a diverse workforce. Labels can also be customized to meet a specific need of your work site.
The Significance of Proper Display
For signage to be
effective it must be displayed where it is visible. This is also a compliance
issue, as poorly situated signs can result in a fine. OSHA states that danger
signs should be positioned wherever a potential workplace hazard exists.
Caution signs should be posted in a place to warn employees and visitors of a
potential danger. Finally, safety signs should be mounted in places where they
can be read to increase job safety.
The Role of Clarion Safety Systems
Our company can help you
meet compliance and display the most effective signs to keep your work site
safe. Contact our experts today to learn
how we can help with your company’s construction regulation compliance needs.