With so many pieces of machinery, heavy equipment, loud noises, and more, it’s not hard to get yourself injured on the job in a warehouse. If you are working on or managing a job site, it’s your responsibility to do what it takes to keep your employees safe and productive. So, if you’re looking to maximize safety during construction, here are a few design considerations that can help prevent injuries.
1. Drainage
Drainage is crucial for getting liquids off of the floors quickly. Effective drainage is key to worker safety, whether draining a spill or water used for mopping the floor. Installing a trench drain like a slot drain is the smartest choice here.
Not only will it stand up to regular heavy traffic from vehicles and pedestrians, but it will also be easier to clean and trap fewer harmful germs thanks to the design and composition of the material it’s made with. They also don’t require heavy, potentially dangerous grates for covering.
Protect your workers by marking areas where the floor may be wet from spills, standing water, or drainage backup. Although your employees may be able to see the liquids there, having it marked ensures that nobody will accidentally slip or harm themselves. You can do this through temporary signage if needed.
Check local ordinances and laws for where you can drain whatever materials you’re draining and that you’re not disposing of them improperly. Improper disposal of hazardous materials can set your company up for fines and legal trouble.
2. Effective Insulation
Employees need to be able to work at a safe temperature. If you don’t want them wearing heavy clothing or dealing with the burden of not being warm enough to concentrate correctly, you had better prioritize effective insulation.
One of the best ways to ensure proper insulation is to build your walls with insulated concrete forms. These concrete forms are naturally insulated and much more effective at trapping heat indoors than typical wooden or metal wall systems. They’re also safer in the event of a fire.
If your workers are installing insulation, research the brand and materials. Although there are plenty of laws regarding insulation and how to keep people safe, materials like fiberglass can still be found in most kinds of insulation. So it’s vital that your workers are appropriately dressed and trained to work with it.
3. Slip-Proof Materials
Install slip-proof mats or a slip-proof coating on your floors. Slips are one of the leading causes of injury in construction projects, so by taking measures to prevent them, you can avoid all of the damages that result from them. Signage, like those included in the drainage section, is also essential if there are areas where the floor is unusually slick.
Some companies, like United Airlines, even offer employees payment to get well-fitting anti-slip boots that can handle any surface. Not only will these make your employees safer and more comfortable, but they’ll also ensure that you don’t have to delay work because someone slipped or hurt.
Talk to your employees, and make sure they feel comfortable coming forward and letting you know if a workspace is unsafe or changes need to be made. You don’t want your workers feeling like they have to ‘deal' with the conditions they’re dealt: because this can lead to accidents and harm. Let them know you’re there to work with them and do the job as safely and efficiently as possible.
4. Thorough Training
One of the most critical steps any construction company can take is ensuring that workers are adequately trained on safety in construction. This training should cover any OSHA-based training that will allow your company to stay true to the law and any rules it has set for its employees or contractors. Following these rules and regulations will keep the workplace safer and create a guide for future projects.
Every company should refresh its employees on OSHA training yearly and include the mandated paperwork posted around the worksite and easily accessible to workers. Although this can feel like overkill, your workers knowing what they’re doing and taking steps to protect themselves and those around them is vital to a safe and predictable workspace.
Make it clear that employees should report to supervisors and anyone above them in the company if they notice a safety violation. This is especially important if newer employees are training because they’re more likely to make mistakes if trained improperly.
By implementing all of the tips in this article, you can be confident that your next project will minimize injuries. Injuries and accidents can occur in the workplace, but a construction site can be made much safer.
Brian Jeffries is the content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.