Emergency Prevention as a Core Value

Nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry in 2022 and 38.4 percent of these deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 06/06/2024).

An emergency can happen at any time, both man-made or natural. Some emergencies are more predictable than others, like inclement weather. There are some emergencies, like falling that can have detrimental impacts on a business and family.

Elements in a Safety Program
Within the construction industry itself, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified some core elements to include in a safety program for a business:

1. Management Leadership – Managers at all levels make safety a core value and provide adequate resources for employees.
2. Worker Participation – Workers are involved with setting goals for a safety program, reporting hazards, and tracking program progress.
3. Hazard Identification and Assessment – Safety and health hazards from routine, non-routine, and emergency situations are identified, assessed, and prioritized.
4. Hazard Prevention and Control – Controls are selected according to a hierarchy that uses engineering solutions first, followed by safe work practices, administrative controls, and finally personal protective equipment (PPE).
5. Education and Training – Employers, managers, and supervisors receive training on safety concepts and their responsibility for protecting workers’ rights and responding to workers’ reports and concerns. All workers are trained to recognize workplace hazards and to understand the control measures that have been implemented.
6. Program Evaluation and Improvement – Processes are established to monitor program performance, verify program implementation, identify program shortcomings, and opportunities for improvement.
7. Communication and Coordination for Employers Multi-Employer Worksites – General contractors, contractors, and staffing agencies commit to providing the same level of safety and health protection to all employees
   

Start Small
One tip OSHA suggests is to start small and grow a safety program over time. By making small wins within the safety program, employees may be more engaged, have less accidents, and have increased productivity each day.