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Regular safety meetings are one of many keys to creating a safe work environment and preventing serious accidents in the commercial construction industry. Construction subcontractors who hold regular, effective safety meetings will not only benefit from fewer employee injuries, but they’ll also serve as reliable partners for general contractors and their clients.

In addition to regular safety training, it’s important for construction subcontractor safety managers to hold daily check-ins with all onsite workers to keep policies, procedures, and workplace hazards top of mind. However, if you’re not using the time effectively, it’s easy for workers to become disengaged. In order to keep daily safety meetings productive and effective, below are some important safety-related topics you should address on a regular basis. 

  1. Review Job Site Hazards

It’s no secret that commercial construction sites are dangerous. Due to the nature of the job, hazards change and evolve on a day-to-day basis. As a result, it’s incredibly important for safety managers and supervisors to review each and every job site safety hazard that could pose a threat to worker safety or lead to injuries or worst-case scenario, death. It’s also important to explain how these hazards occur and the best ways to avoid them. Be sure to spend extra time on the “Focus Four” job site hazards: fall risks, struck by an object, electric hazards, and caught in between objects. According to OSHA, these hazards account for almost 60% of job site deaths annually.

Workers should also be clear on the construction subcontractor’s policies and methods for reporting workplace hazards. By reviewing job site hazards on a daily basis, engaging in discussions, and reinforcing methods for reporting safety issues, employees will be more diligent and aware of their surroundings. 

  1. Discuss Fall Protection Requirements

Falls are consistently the leading cause of workplace injury and death every year. If your job site contains fall risks, make sure to spend extra time discussing fall protection requirements. It’s common for construction subcontractor employees to disregard fall protection protocols when they feel it’s unnecessary – especially if it’s a quick job or the work is being conducted at a low height. Keep in mind, even flips and trips count as falls. And since falls are often unpredictable and can occur any time, it’s absolutely essential that all employees follow fall prevention controls. Make sure all workers are clear on what controls are needed and what equipment should be used on the job.

As a construction subcontractor safety manager, you should have a robust fall protection plan and conduct daily walkthroughs of the job site to ensure all fall protection protocols are being followed. It’s also essential that you do a daily review of all fall protection equipment to ensure that it’s been properly inspected. 

  1. Discuss Upcoming Safety Training

Construction subcontractors should make it a point to remind employees daily about any mandatory upcoming training programs and their associated expectations. You should also take time to reinforce the purpose and benefits behind each safety training. When workers come to see safety trainings as redundant, they’re less likely to be engaged or to take them seriously. By taking the time to stress the importance of safety training on a daily basis, your workers will become more aware of its importance. Remember, the majority of workplace accidents occur due to worker complacency.

  1. Safety Responsibilities

Every contruction subcontractor worker that steps foot on a job site is responsible for following and enforcing safety protocols; however, things can get complicated during complex commercial construction projects. Complex projects often involve multiple subcontractors simultaneously working in different areas of the job site. As a result, it’s absolutely essential that general contractors and other construction subcontractors on the jobsite all take workplace safety seriously. Every team should follow the same standards when it comes to workplace injury reporting.

During your daily safety meetings, take the time to inform workers about the other construction subcontractors on site and the work they are doing. Be sure your team is aware of any safety implications that may result from the work that is being done by other subcontractors on the job. 

  1. Safety Improvement Plans

It’s not enough to talk to your team about workplace safety, it’s also important to keep everyone attentive and engaged. While most daily meetings will involve reviewing job-specific hazards, make sure to schedule a periodic meeting where you give employees an opportunity to talk. Allow them to express concerns about job site safety or brainstorm ways to improve your meetings and procedures. Your construction subcontractor workers offer unique perspectives and the best way to improve your safety program is by capturing direct feedback from those who are actively working on the construction site on a daily basis. You can also use these discussions as a chance to gain feedback on any new safety technology that you’re using on the job.

Construction subcontractor worker safety is the single most important aspect of workplace construction, which is why general contractors, construction subcontractors, and clients all need to be on the same page regarding expectations. It’s not enough to simply hold daily safety meetings – you also need to ensure the content of those meetings is informative and useful. Keeping workers engaged on safety-related topics is the best way for construction subcontractors to reducing workplace accidents.

If you’re a general contractor searching for a construction subcontractor that prioritizes safety above all else, contact us today at Unique Building Group. Our team has over 30 years of experience providing interior and exterior construction subcontractor services and has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality work on-time and on-budget.