Construction sites are inherently risky places to work. There are many potential hazards that workers need to be aware of, from heavy machinery to falling debris. That’s why clear communication is so important on construction sites.
By ensuring everyone understands the risks and what they need to do to stay safe, we can minimize the chances of accidents and injuries. This is why training your employees to communicate effectively onsite is of utmost importance. However, since construction sites can get extremely loud, you will have to find the right method of communication your workforce can use. Worry not as we have everything covered below.
Essential Tips For Onsite Communication
Maintaining clear communication on construction sites is essential to prevent confusion, setbacks, and costly errors. One of the most important tips for clear communication is ensuring that everyone uses the same terminology and jargon. This will make it easier for team members to understand what one another is saying and reduce miscommunications.
In addition to that, your employees should be equipped with top-of-the-line communication technology such as two-way radios. However, even the most advanced technological equipment cannot rely on it constantly. If work gets loud, which is usually the case, heavy machinery operators will turn the radios all the way up.
As we mentioned above, being exposed to loud sounds for a long period of time can lead to serious problems. If you rely on loudness to ensure communication, your heavy machinery operator might suffer tinnitus or hearing loss.
So, even if the technology offers many solutions for construction workers, the old tried-and-true methods of communication are still used as they enable workers to communicate effectively without a hitch. To put things into perspective, spotters and crane operators need to have complete coordination, as even the slightest miscalculation of the crane operator can result in serious consequences.
To achieve this, spotters and crane operators use hand signals to ensure that they relay information in a safe and concise manner. If you are wondering what are crane hand signals used for, they basically allow the crane operator and spotter to operate in sync. And, even if their radios fail, they still have an effective method of relaying information to each other, ensuring that the work is conducted in a safe and efficient way.
The Risks Of Construction Work
Working in the construction industry can be dangerous, and those involved need to be aware of the associated risks. More than 60.000 fatal accidents occur on construction sites, making it one of the most dangerous callings you can choose for yourself.
In addition, workers must frequently use dangerous power tools and may be exposed to loud noises, dust, chemicals, or asbestos. With power tools that generate more than 100db, you should be extremely careful, as even an hour of exposure to those noise levels can cause a degree of permanent hearing loss. Provide your employees with the necessary equipment to be completely safe and secure while onsite.
That being said, a lack of safety measures can result in long-term health issues for construction workers. It is essential that employers provide safety protocols that are properly followed to ensure the protection of their personnel.
You should also dedicate a lot of time to train and develop your employees’ skills. Ensuring that your employees are using the right equipment is only half the job; you must train them to communicate effectively while carrying out their duties onsite.
Why Is Communication So Important?
When people are working together, clear communication is essential to ensure all tasks are completed properly and efficiently. Without it, there is an increased risk of misunderstanding, miscommunication, and misalignment of objectives.
This is especially the case with construction work, as the safety of the entire site depends on the combined dedication to security. In addition, many problems will be resolved much quicker and help you lead a better-organized business.
Regularly hold meetings and quiz your employees on topics such as safety, communication, and equipment use. If you find that some of your employees need additional professional training, be quick to offer them just that, as a simple mistake can lead to a long-lasting injury.
Bottom Line
By minimizing the risk on your construction site, you can expect your employees to be content with your way of operations and bring their A-game whenever they arrive at the site.
Ensure that all of your employees work in sync and put an emphasis on the way they communicate. And lastly, don’t forget to find the right equipment to keep your employees safe and educate them on how to properly use heavy machinery.
