Getting the job done quickly is good, but only if everyone stays safe in the process! Taking the time to brush up on and remember safe work habits is crucial for construction workers of all kinds. Safety comes first, because if you get hurt, you can’t get the job done at all. Be sure to read all of these safety habits thoroughly and then implement them in your daily work activities! Be proactive and prevent a disastrous on-the-job injury. Let’s make safety in construction cool again.

Assess Potential Hazards

One of the best ways to practice safety in construction work is to take some time before starting your day to assess any potentially hazardous materials or situation on the job site. What could go wrong? Are the conditions safe to work in? Are the proper methods in place to get the job done safely? Does everyone on the crew know what they’re doing (and how to do it)? Is there a chance that someone could fall, find themselves stuck, or get electrocuted? Thinking through all the possibilities and dangers on the site will keep you prepared and cautious as you do the work. You know what they say, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Wear Equipment

We know as well as anyone that sometimes putting on your harness or your hard hat is the last thing you want to do, but the one time you skip out on wearing your equipment could be the time that you have an accident. Deciding to not wear the proper safety equipment is foolish in construction, because that equipment can be the difference in life or death. Just wear it!

Ask For Help

Another good safety habit to start doing is to make sure you ask for help from your crew when you need it. This really comes down to communication and teamwork – everyone on your team should feel comfortable and confident in asking for help when they feel they need it. Trying to lift more than you can carry, guess the next step in a hazardous task, or operate machinery you’re unsure of how to operate can be detrimental on a construction site.  If you feel pressure to do things on your own that you feel you should have help on, bring it up to your supervisor.

Slow Down

Getting things done quickly is a great strength to have in the construction industry, but doing anything too quickly can lead to consequences. A great way to practice safety in construction work is to simply slow down a little. Rushing through your work or moving too fast around the site can lead to accidents! Speeding through your work can cause you to overlook critical details or even accidentally skip a crucial step in a hazardous process. For the safety of yourself, your crew, and the job, take a breath and slow things down.

Stay Humble

The last construction safety tip we have is to always stay humble. Whether you’ve been in construction for one month, one decade, or 20+ years, you’re always learning in this industry. No matter how many years of experience you have on the job, the threats and hazards around you and your need for good safety habits  never changes. Remember, injuries and accidents don’t care how long you’ve been doing this work. If you remain humble, alert, and willing to implement new safety practices, you’ll be more likely to be able to keep on working in construction for many more years to come!

In summary, be sure you always practice these 5 safety habits while working in any construction position – assess any potential hazards, wear your safety equipment, ask for help, slow down, and stay humble. We wish you a long, safe, and wonderful career in construction! If you’re looking for a construction job, check out our current open positions. If you’d like to speak with a member of the Redstone team, give us a call! We’re looking forward to meeting you.