Construction Project Management Services and Construction Books
  • Construction Home
  • About Paul Netscher
  • +Construction Books
    • Successful Construction Project Management
    • Building a Successful Construction Company
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
    • Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion
    • An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses
    • The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman
    • Designing your ideal home
  • Construction Management Services
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact
  • Blog | Construction Management
  • Site Map
  • Blog | Home Improvement
  • Index of construction articles
  • Useful Links
  • Index Home Improvement

What safety standards apply on your construction project?

16/4/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
Image courtesy of njaj at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Every construction project and client seem to have different safety standards. Some clients can be quite slack when it comes to safety, while other construction projects have numerous rigorous rules. Even the authorities don’t always apply safety standards in an even and consistent manner.
​
The client has their safety standards, then there are the national and state safety standards, while some industries, like oil and mining, have their own particular rigorous safety standards, while your company has their safety rules and safety standards. Which safety rules should you follow? It can be quite confusing moving between construction projects with differing safety standards.

Construction safety standards

When implementing safety measures the rule should always be that the most rigorous safety standards apply. But more importantly, that work is always done in a safe manner. So, no matter the rules and regulations you should never carry out work which could endanger a person’s life or damage property.
​
Often common-sense is the best safety protection. Unfortunately, some in construction don’t apply common sense.
If it looks unsafe don’t do it. 
If it looks unsafe stop the task and reassesses how the work can be done safely.

Project safety requirements

​Always ensure that you understand the project safety requirements. Importantly ensure that your crew understands the project safety requirements, because if it’s confusing to you then it’s certainly confusing for them. Always ensure that the safety standards are set from the first day on the project and that they are applied consistently through the whole project.

Are all safety rules necessary

Some clients may have safety rules that you feel are unnecessary. In fact, some safety officers have their own unique things they look for. It’s seldom worth arguing that a safety rule is unnecessary, and it’s not a fight that you’re likely to win. In reality, the more you argue the case, the more likely the client or safety officer will dig their heals in and enforce their rules. Often this argument results in a bad attitude, which causes the person to look for additional safety issues and problems to make your life more difficult.

Of course, if there are additional safety rules which are hindering the project or adding additional costs which aren’t a general requirement on other construction projects you could perhaps argue the case. But first, check that the additional safety requirements aren’t stipulated in the contract document (this could include wearing additional personal protective equipment).

In which case the contractor should have allowed for these additional measures in their price, and you should have no reason to refuse to comply. If there are additional rules which hinder work which hasn’t been stipulated in the contract, then the contractor may have reason to claim additional costs and time from the client, but probably won’t win an argument to slacken the requirement.

​But before arguing the case against a particular safety requirement always consider whether the rule will prevent an accident and how much of a nuisance it actually is. We often resist change simply because we don’t like change! We shouldn’t be arguing against something that will prevent an injury. And some fights aren’t worth wasting our time and energy on or aggravating our clients.

Safety first

​None of us want to be injured at work and none of us want any of our crew hurt, so it’s vital that our construction projects are always safe no matter if the safety rules and regulations are relaxed, or the client accepts a lesser safety standard. Applying a consistently high safety standard across all our projects will reduce accidents and it will mean that our construction crews automatically follow these standards on their next project.
​
Please like and share this post
This article was first published on the ClockShark website.
For construction and field service companies who want to get rid of paper time sheets, ClockShark is the GPS time tracking app that's both powerful and easy to use.

Do you want to learn how to manage construction projects successfully?

Picture
Click on picture to view books on Amazon
Paul Netscher has written several easy to read books for owners, contractors, construction managers, construction supervisors and foremen. They cover all aspects of construction management and are filled with tips and insights.
The books are available in paper and ebook from most online stores including Amazon.
​
© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.
construction management construction project management
2 Comments
maheee link
13/10/2020 07:00:56 pm

I am looking up for the building contractors in Chennai to build my dream house. Hire and expertise in house construction helped me out with the best services. Since my budget is low and looking up for the contractors hire and build have helped me out. They have supported me for building my dream house with all my expectations at defined budgets. Hope they are the best home builders in Chennai that you have ever come across.

Reply
Jessie Holloway link
2/9/2022 10:57:11 pm

I like how you talk about the importance of knowing the safety requirements of your project. My cousin works for a small construction company and they've been looking to team up with safety consultants to inspect their work and ensure everything meets safety standards. We'll have to look more into nearby consultants that meet their expectations.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Archives

    January 2023
    October 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Copyright 2016 - The attached articles cannot be reproduced for commercial purposes without the consent of the author.
    The opinions expressed in the attached articles are those of the writer. It should be noted that projects are varied and different laws and restrictions apply which depend on the location of the contractor and the project. It's important that the reader uses the supplied information taking cognisance of their particular circumstances. The writer assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss of any kind arising from the reader using the information or advice contained herein.
    "I have what I consider some of the best books on construction management."


    Books are available from:
    Amazon.com
    Amazon.co.uk
    takealot.com

    kalahari.com
    Amazon.in
    Amazon.de
    Amazon.fr
    Amazon.it
    Amazon.com.au
    Powell's
    Fishpond
    uread
    bokus
    Amazon.ca
    Amazon.es
    Other retail stores


    Available in paperback or on Kindle

    ​"28 YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE, DEVELOPING SUCCESSFUL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS AND BUILDING SUCCESSFUL CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES"

Construction Books

Successful Construction Project management
Building a Successful Construction Company
Construction Claims: A Short Guide for Contractors
Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion
Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
​
Build and Renovate Your Home With Your Eyes Wide Open
Book Reviews

Construction services

Construction Management Services
Paul Netscher
Construction Management Blog
​Home Improvement Blog

Contact
Developing Successful Construction Project Managers.

Building Successful Construction Companies.
30 years of construction project management experience
  • Construction Home
  • About Paul Netscher
  • +Construction Books
    • Successful Construction Project Management
    • Building a Successful Construction Company
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
    • Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion
    • An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses
    • The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman
    • Designing your ideal home
  • Construction Management Services
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact
  • Blog | Construction Management
  • Site Map
  • Blog | Home Improvement
  • Index of construction articles
  • Useful Links
  • Index Home Improvement