Achieving a Zero-Accident Workplace

Achieving a zero-accident workplace is an ideal goal for every construction management team, commercial general contractor, and anyone who owns or operates companies that handle commercial construction in Florida. Following safety tips is a beneficial way to limit accidents on the job, but how can you achieve zero-accidents on and off the job while performing construction management in Florida?

What is an Accident and the Effect on Your Company?

An accident is defined as an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance. But oftentimes, an accident often occurs because of ignorance or carelessness. Non-fatal injuries account for 4 to 5 out of every 100 workers in the commercial and industrial industries in Florida. Accidents require time away from work, decrease productivity, endangered lives, and affect other employees and families. Yet, owners and workers accept accidents as part of these industries.

Everything and every person can cause or be the cause of an accident. When managing or running any construction services from office building construction to shopping center construction and everything in between, it is important to not only understand how everything can go right but also how everything can go wrong. Once you realize that a safety or hazard accident is not an accident at all, but a preventable incident, you can achieve the desired results of a safe zero-accident workplace.

When Did the Zero-Accident Movement Begin?

In the early 1990s, the Construction Industry Institute published findings of what it would take to achieve a zero-accident workplace and whether it was possible. Construction companies today still strive to reach this standard.

OSHA provides an extensive list of regulations that apply to commercial construction groups from window and handrail heights, to using and storing flammable gas. OSHA encourages Injury and Illness Prevention Programs to include basic elements such as training, leadership, employee participation, identification and assessment, prevention and control, and evaluation and improvement.

How To Prevent Accidents

Typical approaches for businesses, such as commercial construction contractors, industrial builders, automotive contractors, design-builders, and industrial construction companies, include seminars, meetings, surveys, and safety promotions. However, many classes or seminars are boring and employees do not remember the information.

Employees care more when they feel cared for and when they take pride in their work. Instead of only pushing talking points to employees about their behavior, attitude, company policy, OSHA regulations take it a step further for employees to understand why safety matters. It’s important to have a discussion with your construction group, rather than a lecture to go over the following:

• Find out why employees forgo safety. Are they trying to work faster? Do they need easier solutions?
• Discuss personal responsibility and accountability for the employee’s actions.
• Connect their contributions to their values, such as family and staying safe for them.
• Help employees understand values like respect, integrity, and trust by showing these same values towards your employees.

8 Steps Towards Achieving a Zero-Accident Workplace

While it’s a goal all construction groups in Florida aim to achieve, a zero-accident workplace should start by:

1. Training Employees—Training may not be the only step, but it is a necessary first step. Train them not only on how but why.
2. Answering the Why—Employees know how and when to follow rules and regulations, such as those set by OSHA. They know who follows rules and regulations, but do they understand why? Thinking about why encourages personal responsibility.
3. Employee Feedback—Use a safe, open, and honest platform to encourage feedback from employees on what works for them and what doesn’t.
4. Leading Instead of Managing—Employees follow the lead of their supervisors and managers. Lead with safety in mind.
5. Family Values—Tie workplace safety to family values as most employees value their families above all.
6. Encouraging Teachable Moments—For every safety hazard identified, there is a teaching exercise available. Teachable moments help prevent similar accidents in the future through hands-on learning.
7. Identifying and Mitigating—Find the hazards and correct them before an accident occurs.
8. Risk On and Off the Job—Addressing accident risk on and off the job gets employees thinking about and managing safety around the clock because safety matters 24/7

The Benefits of Hiring A Zero-Accident Construction Group

Achieving a zero-accident workplace does not only ensure safety for you and your construction group, but it also ensures a seamless work experience when completing a new build or project. A delay in the production progress can cost a lot of time, resources, money, and paperwork, and can even put a damper on the project itself if a tragic or extremely harmful accident takes place. The team at MH Williams takes pride in making safety a top priority for every project. Since 1987, they’ve been able to serve the community and care for those on-site by valuing safety and responsibility for every team member. Experience the MH Williams difference for yourself and see why we value treating our team like family. Contact us today to get started!