Five Ways Onsite Safety Breeds Onsite Wellbeing

All contractors should have, at the very least, a basic understanding of onsite safety, as it is absolutely paramount in terms of protecting all construction staff. Work-related injuries cost Britain an average of 5.3 billion pounds per year – so any attempt to lower this number can only be good for the economy and the construction industry as a whole.

Embracing a more holistic approach to onsite safety can lead to a multitude of benefits for your building project. Below, the storage and organisation experts at Action Storage have explored five ways this approach can work for contractors, their employees and all others involved.

Schedule regular meetings – and make sure everyone is heard

Having an open and clear dialogue amongst workers on a construction site is vital in terms of promoting wellbeing alongside safety. If workers feel like their onsite safety concerns are being listened to, and the appropriate action is being taken, morale will skyrocket.

However, it’s important that safety meetings aren’t being held for their own sake – they need to be held in a certain way to make sure everyone has a chance to speak and raise their concerns and proposed solutions going forward. If workers have a greater stake in safety changes around the site, they will be happier, and work more effectively.

Invest in storage and organisation

Making sure that workers have a place to store their PPE is an important concession to make. Reserving a small area near the entrance of the for lockers and other storage equipment is a quick and easy way to do this. This makes sure that all relevant safety equipment is stored onsite where it’s needed – avoiding any awkward and unsafe instances of a worker leaving their PPE offsite.

Positioning lockers and other equipment near the entrance of the site is also an effective way to get employees ready for the working day, by creating a buffer between the outside world and their working environment. This promotes greater focus in the early portions of the day.

Be weather smart – all year round

Modern construction continues through rain and shine, through snow and hail, any hour of the day. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that onsite workers have to endure these conditions without safety oversight. In hot conditions, make sure workers have a reliable and convenient source of drinking water, to improve concentration during key phases of the build. Similarly, in wintry conditions, it’s important to banish icy spots from the site to avoid any accidents. A workforce will be more effective if small, environmental issues like these are ironed out early, to prevent larger problems later on.

Take first aid training seriously

Having at least one first aid trained worker onsite is crucial to maintaining peace of mind amongst the workforce – having a whole site full of first aid practitioners is much better. Giving each of your workers a new skill by organising a first aid training day will raise morale while safeguarding against injuries going improperly treated. It’s a win-win, and first aid courses are often very reasonably priced – so that’s another bonus if you’re looking after your bottom line.

Communicate clearly and openly

In a similar vein to the first point on this list, dialogue and communication are of the utmost importance if you’re to promote all-round wellbeing amongst your workforce. Yes, this means regular safety meetings – but as far as communication on the job goes, it’s always good to avoid shouting complex instructions across long distances. Instead, have a clear and direct conversation at a normal volume to ensure that all workers understand the construction process. This is highly recommended from both a safety and wellbeing standpoint, as a well-informed worker treated with respect will work more efficiently and effectively.

We hope that these tips were useful and will promote harmony and dialogue amongst your workforce. A solid communication strategy, regular meetings and peace of mind in terms of safety together mean your workers will be a lot happier – and as a happy site is a productive site, this is bound to positively affect your bottom line.