Commercial construction is one of the most dangerous industries, and fall risks are among the most serious hazards workers face on a daily basis. According to OSHA, falls consistently rank as the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. Falls lead to 36.5% of deaths in commercial construction and are recognized on OSHA’s Fatal Four hazard list. They’re also more common during framing, drywall, and exterior envelope phases of a project. This is why it’s so important for subcontractors to prioritize fall prevention training and planning before and during every project.
Safety violations don’t just put workers at risk, they can also lead to costly project delays and fines. So how do elite framing subcontractors manage complex construction projects while mitigating fall risks? Managing construction fall risk prevention isn’t just a requirement; it needs to be an essential day-to-day practice built into every subcontractor’s culture and policies.
As San Diego’s top framing subcontractor, Unique Building Group (UBG) has spent decades perfecting our safety policies and practices, which exceed industry standards. Industry-leading safety protocols ensure our workers go home safe at the end of the day and our projects stay on schedule.
We’ll tell you how our work keeps San Diego construction sites safer.
How UBG Approaches Fall Prevention And Construction Safety
UBG isn’t just a leader in large-scale, complex framing projects, we’re also a leader when it comes to safety procedures. Through training, accountability, technology, and continuous improvement, we’ve earned an excellent commercial construction site safety record and the trust of the area’s top general contractors.
The good news is falls are highly preventable in the commercial construction industry, but putting the right systems in place requires training, controls, practice, communication, and teamwork. That doesn’t happen overnight – it requires building a culture of accountability and building safety practices into routines. Here’s how UBG approaches construction fall risk prevention in San Diego:
1. Pre-Planning And Site Assessments
Planning is a major part of our safety procedures. Before a project begins, our safety managers conduct thorough site safety assessments to identify any potential hazards and develop safety strategies for the project ahead. By evaluating the entire site as well as the project plans, our safety team can document potential risks early and ensure we’re prepared before our workers even step onto the site.
2. Advanced Fall Protection Systems
UBG is constantly investing in new technology and safety equipment. Our teams use high-quality fall protection systems to keep teams safe when working at high elevation. We also use redundant safety equipment whenever possible to help reduce the risk. All of our equipment is inspected regularly and maintained to meet or exceed OSHA compliance in commercial construction.
3. Rigorous Construction Safety Training
Our training goes far beyond basic subcontractor safety practices. Our leaders, safety managers, and onsite teams all undergo thorough training throughout the entire year. This includes training on real-world scenarios, fall risks and procedures, fall protection systems, personal protective equipment, and much more. We also take the time to review every near-accident and audit finding, so we’re continuously improving. When it comes to training, safety is our top priority. We don’t let unprepared workers onto the jobsite.
4. Communication And Reporting
Maintaining a safe worksite is everybody’s job. Safety managers and team members are constantly scanning the jobsite for job progress and potential risks. We use mobile reporting and communication tools to ensure safety data and hazards can be logged and escalated if needed.
5. Cross-Team Collaboration
Framing is only one element of a project. Maintaining a safe jobsite requires careful collaboration across all of the subcontractors and general contractors who will be involved from start to finish. We share safety tips and knowledge with everyone and hold our partners to the same standards that we uphold ourselves. We orchestrate daily safety meetings to keep everyone on the same page.
Maintaining a strong safety record is necessary to become an elite commercial framing subcontractor, which is why UBG’s construction safety policies exceed OSHA standards. We believe that by setting the bar higher, we raise the standards for ourselves and for our partners.
While drywall and framing can be the most dangerous phases of a commercial construction project, they can also be the safest when working with subcontractors like UBG. For San Diego general contractors seeking a framing partner who leads by example, UBG’s safety record sets us apart.
Get in touch with us to discuss your complex construction project today.