Communication Provides a Better
and Safer Work Environment
The safety of construction sites is incredibly important for reducing workplace injuries and deaths. Studies suggest that communication on safety is a common problem in construction workplaces. Workers must understand the importance of relaying safety precautions and hazards to prevent serious injury.
Construction sites are one of the most dangerous workplaces with a high number of reported injuries. A 2018 study showed construction sites report over 900 fatal incidents in the United States each year with around 200,000 non-fatal injuries. Construction sites have a lot of moving parts with various crews doing different projects. Conditions are busy and with a lot of dangerous materials, accidents cannot and should not happen.
Communication with team members and crews is important to providing a safe work environment without the fear of injury or death. By crews communicating, job sites improve safety and save time and money.
So, how can your construction site improve its safety? We will discuss some ways you can start communicating to reduce workplace incidents and improve productivity.
Communicate Safety Guidelines
Safety should always be your top priority. Ensuring your employees understand that your job site places safety over everything else they will be more ready to put those safety measures in place. When you place safety above all, accidents are reduced drastically because employees understand what is needed from them. By having a safer work environment means fewer workplace injuries, time off, and production delays.
Utilize two-way radios
For faster communication, many job sites have been utilizing two-way radios to communicate with workers. If information needs to be relayed quickly, radios are a fast way to get your message out. Two-way radios limit the amount of time a message is received compared to cell phones. All employees are connected on the same channel and can receive the same message at the same time. Radios are easy to operate, and information can be transmitted by a PTT button on the side of the radio. Push the button and you are ready to talk to whoever is on your channel.
Radios can help all employees stay connected and when safety measures need to be addressed, your job site is all on the same page. Two-way radios are durable enough to withstand the harsh environment of a construction site. They are less likely to break or become damaged if dropped. Radios are designed to be held up against rain, dust, and water with various IP ratings across devices.
Radios like Motorola, BK Technologies, and Harris are durable enough to withstand the harsh environments of a construction site and help crews stay connected. Two-way radios have a long battery life that lasts all day. Batteries like the Motorola XTS5000 battery is perfect for the long hours that employees put in.
Headsets Improve Safety and Communication
Construction sites are known to be loud environments where proper hearing protection is required. Headsets are a common hearing loss prevention method and safety measure for job sites. The 3M Peltor LiteCom headset has a built-in two-way radio that allows you to communicate with others on the same channel while protecting your hearing. These noise-canceling headsets provide clear hands-free communication to keep crews focused on their work while still receiving information.
In many construction zones, employees are required to wear hardhats to protect their safety. The LiteCom headsets allow for hardhats to be attached so radio use and safety can be combined into one. First Source Wireless sells LiteCom headsets that are frequently purchased for construction.
Communicating on a job site is important for increasing production and keeping everyone safe. Relaying proper safety measures, utilizing two-way radios, and wearing radio headsets can help improve the communication between crew members. Construction sites have a lot of moving parts that put members at risk. Having proper communication plans in place helps everyone stay connected and reduce delays.
