11 Processes and Protocols that Boost Construction Safety

Contractors with good safety records may have luck on their side, but they likely also have robust safety processes and protocols in place. After all, construction safety doesn’t happen by accident, especially on complex projects with tight timelines; companies must build it in to the way they think and operate.

The benefits include fewer accidents, reduced downtime, stable insurance premiums and of course, workers who make it home in one piece at the end of each shift. Showing crews the value leadership puts on safety also makes them feel appreciated.

Strengthen your organization’s approach to safety by making these 11 practices a consistent part of your everyday operations.

1. Require construction safety training

A trained workforce is a safer workforce. Provide relevant training to all employees, including refresher courses, from fall protection training to equipment operator training to competent person training and confined space entry training.

2. Conduct new hire safety orientations

Begin sending the safety message on day one with comprehensive new hire safety orientations. According to the 2024 Safety Performance Report from Associated Builders and Contractors, the safest companies conduct new hire orientations of more than three hours on average and improve their total recordable incident rate (TRIR) by 83%. Walk new employees through your safety program and the processes and protocols that support it.

3. Create and share site-specific safety plans

For every new jobsite, create a site-specific safety plan that identifies potential hazards— from contact with overhead power lines to trench collapse—and outlines the strategies for controlling or eliminating them. Present the plan to workers during a site induction. Update it as work progresses, leveraging input from crews solicited during management walkarounds.

4. Hold daily toolbox talks

Brief, mandatory toolbox talks help crews start their shifts with a safety-first mindset. Choose one best practice to review that’s relevant to the day’s work, or address a recent safety incident. Companies that conduct daily toolbox talks reduce TRIR and days away, restricted or transferred (DART) scores by 81% compared to those that hold monthly talks, according to the ABC report.

5. Conduct evacuation drills

For each jobsite, develop a site-specific evacuation plan, then conduct drills to prepare crews for the real thing. These drills help workers internalize evacuation procedures, including routes to take and muster points to proceed to. Time the evacuation and strive to improve the time during future drills.

6. Enforce the proper use of PPE

Discomfort and peer pressure are among the reasons some workers don’t use PPE correctly or at all, according to a study published in the Journal of Safety Research. Yet lack of management support and specific rules about PPE use are contributing factors. Provide the appropriate PPE and stress the benefits of properly using it. Conduct fit testing and remind workers to inspect their PPE regularly.

7. Mandate pre-shift equipment inspections

Equipment problems can arise in between regularly scheduled maintenance. Pins can fail in boom and scissor lifts, lug nuts can loosen, welds can crack and tires can deflate, for example. Train operators to conduct a pre-operation inspection looking for damaged parts that may make the equipment unsafe or inefficient to operate.

8. Develop a near-miss reporting system

Near misses are valuable because they draw attention to hidden hazards or safety lapses. Teach workers why it’s important to report close calls, and make it easy for them to do so, such as with an anonymous feedback mechanism. Commit to investigating the root causes of near misses.

9. Grant workers stop-work authority

Stop-work authority (SWA) gives all employees the right to stop work if they believe a task presents an imminent danger to themselves or others. An SWA policy empowers workers to speak up without fear of retribution and makes it clear your organization prioritizes safety. 

10. Institute 5S

Orderly worksites tend to be safer and more efficient. Implementing the principles of5S can help you maintain a clean and organized work environment.

1. Sort: Remove items that aren’t being used to reduce slips, trips and falls.
2. Set in order: Organize work areas so tools and materials are easy to reach.
3. Shine: Clean and maintain tools, equipment and workplaces.
4. Standardize: Consistently use these procedures.
5. Sustain: Maintain this system over time. Train employees on 5S and conduct regular audits.

11. Implement equipment access management

Ensuring that only workers with the proper training and certification operate heavy equipment is critical to preventing accidents. Ignition keypads used with PINs assigned to individuals or groups is one easy solution. A full-service rental equipment provider such as United Rentals can add the keypads to rented or owned equipment. United Rentals also makes it possible to use worker ID badges enabled with RFID to unlock these keypads and monitor operator behavior.

Worksite safety requires a top-down commitment and the participation of every employee. Implementing these processes and protocols as part of your company’s safety program protects your workers, your project schedules and budgets and your company’s reputation.