According to the US Department of Transportation, in the United States, one work zone fatality occurs for every 4 billion vehicle-miles of travel and for every $112 million worth of roadway construction expenditures. These numbers are more than data points, they represent lives lost and families forever changed.
Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reinforces construction safety concerns. In 2022, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry and 38.4% of these deaths were due to falls, slips and trips. Even more alarming, the construction industry accounted for close to half, 47.4%, of all fatal falls, slips and trips in 2022.
Understanding National Safety Month
The National Safety Council celebrates National Safety Month in June to increase awareness of the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. The initiative addresses the alarming fact that in the US, someone dies from a preventable incident approximately every two minutes. In 2023, preventable injuries claimed 222,698 lives, representing a 154% increase from 1992. Additionally, more than 7,000 preventable injuries occur every hour across the country.
Steps Construction Companies Can Take
National Safety Month highlights the seriousness of workplace accidents, providing construction companies with the perfect opportunity to solidify their safety processes. By implementing strategies to promote safety culture, companies can reduce workplace incidents.
Developing Comprehensive Safety Training Programs
Effective safety training should go beyond basic compliance requirements. Companies need to develop multi-layered training approaches that address both general safety principles and job-specific hazards. Not only should new employee orientation include extensive safety training, experienced workers also benefit from regular refresher training and updates on new safety technologies or regulations.
Hands-on demonstrations, scenario-based learning and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing can create more memorable and effective learning experiences. Companies should also ensure training materials are available in multiple languages to accommodate diverse workforces.
Implementing Regular Safety Audits and Inspections
Identifying potential hazards can help prevent accidents before they occur. Regular safety walks by supervisors, formal safety audits and worker-reported near-miss programs can help put a comprehensive hazard identification system in place. These efforts should focus on obvious safety violations but also on potential risks that could develop into serious hazards.
Being able to document these inspections creates valuable data for identifying trends and patterns in safety issues. Using advanced analytics, this information can help companies allocate safety resources more effectively.
Fostering Open Communication About Safety
Creating an environment where workers feel comfortable reporting safety concerns without fear of retaliation is essential. Regular safety meetings, suggestion boxes, anonymous reporting systems and open-door policies with supervisors all contribute to better safety communication.
And when workers speak up about safety concerns, management should respond promptly and visibly to these concerns. Quick actions help employees see their input valued and they become more invested in maintaining safe work environments.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Safety Training
Learning management software has revolutionized safety training delivery and tracking. Arcoro’s Learning Management System (LMS), part of the Grow solution, exemplifies how technology can enhance construction safety training programs.
An LMS offers several advantages over traditional training methods. Online modules can be accessed anytime and anywhere, allowing workers to complete training at their own pace while ensuring consistent message delivery across all employees.
But even more important is how an LMS provides detailed tracking and reporting capabilities. Supervisors can monitor completion rates, identify employees who may need additional support and ensure compliance with training requirements. Automated reminders help ensure refresher training occurs on schedule, while customizable content allows companies to address site-specific hazards and procedures.
The data generated by these systems also provides valuable insights into training effectiveness. Companies can identify which modules generate the most questions or confusion, allowing for continuous improvement of training content and delivery methods.
Making Safety a Continuous Priority
National Safety Month shines a spotlight on construction safety challenges, but lasting change requires commitment throughout the year. By implementing training programs, maintaining open communication about safety concerns and leveraging modern technology to enhance training delivery, construction companies can create safer work environments for all employees.
The goal extends beyond compliance with regulations to building genuine safety cultures where every worker takes ownership of their safety and that of their colleagues. When safety becomes embedded in daily operations rather than treated as an afterthought, companies see not only reduced incidents but also improved morale, productivity and bottom-line results.
The investment in safety training and culture pays dividends through reduced insurance costs, improved worker retention, enhanced company reputation and most importantly, the knowledge that everyone goes home safely each day.
