Your attitude influences construction jobsite safety more than anything else. Posted guidelines and rules, mandatory safety meetings… Nothing promotes jobsite safety more than your visible commitment to working safer. Construction Business Owner recently asked construction business influencers what they believed was the most important factor for jobsite safety.
1. Safety Culture and Awareness
“Building a culture of safety within an organization is key. It means all employees are fully committed to achieving safety in the workplace, and that they take personal accountability for the safety of each other,” says Jaime Vos, Association of Equipment Manufacturers director. To achieve that:
- Ensure your organization’s leaders champion the cause.
- Implement frequent toolbox talks and feedback sessions.
- Make sure your employees feel valued for their safety contributions.
- Overcommunicate policy changes and safety protocol updates.
- Provide training.
- Track safety results and communicate progress.
- Understand your existing culture and employees’ safety attitudes. Identify areas for improvement.
2. Leadership
PowerTek LLC HR Director Jonathan W. Thomas says dedication to safety from the top down is the most important factor. “When all employees are aware that management emphasizes, stresses, and is concerned about all aspects of safety… It becomes a company culture of safety first.”
Thomas says safety is included as a topic at all PowerTek employee meetings. If a jobsite injury occurs, it means an automatic drug test and safety review.
3. Communication
Information-sharing is critical to worker safety. Failure to report an equipment problem and failure to post hazards can prevent injuries, says Dan Vandehey, General Manager, Inter-Pak Supply Inc.
“Open inquiry provides a productive exchange that can identify hazards and prompt training,” Vandehey says. “If workers feel they are unable to challenge process conventions, this breeds a culture of complacency where safety issues can flourish.” Employees need the freedom to ask questions and start conversations about workplace safety.
Construction Jobsite Safety: May 1-5, 2023 Stand-Down
Preventable fall fatalities continue to be the leading cause of death for construction employees. A safety stand-down is a voluntary event focused on workplace safety. OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down is May 1-5, and its goal is to increase fall hazard awareness. This is a great opportunity for employees to share what they see as fall hazards on project sites.
Who can participate:
- Construction companies of all sizes
- Construction contractors and subcontractors
- Employee interest organizations
- General industry businesses
- Highway construction companies
- Military/government organizations
- Safety equipment manufacturers
- Trade associations
- …and more
There is information available to help you plan your own safety stand-down program. See:
You can also contact your Regional Stand-Down Coordinator. To share your event with OSHA, email [email protected].
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