Are you looking forward to a new venture? With a plethora of opportunities today, people find it challenging to make a choice. Some entrepreneurs opt for traditional companies, while others prefer exploring new horizons like the construction industry. It is witnessing staggering growth as the demand for houses, schools, hospitals, and skyscrapers are consistently rising. Even though it is a risky choice, every business comes with its share of liabilities and dangers.
From waiting for the permit to building a team- starting a new construction project is demanding and time-consuming. Many people try finding shortcuts to rush through the process. As a result, they miss out on details, opening doors for unnecessary risks and unsafe working conditions. Therefore, you have to play smart and spend sufficient time on the planning phase since it lays a foundation for the entire construction phase.
You can find plenty of guides and construction standards that can ensure a smooth process. At the same time, you have to establish some rules and regulations. Alongside curbing risk, it will develop your company’s credibility. Can’t decide from where to begin? Here are five essential priorities when setting up a construction site.
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Health & Safety of Workers
With advancing labor laws, construction companies have to be extra careful with all safety regulations. First of all, conduct thorough site research to assess potential hazards – poisonous plants, contaminated water, electric cables, etc. You have to fix these things before continuing with the construction process. Alongside this, consider setting a man camp near the construction site to provide housing to the workers. It saves a lot of time, especially if the site is out of the city since workers no longer have to travel all the way.
Moreover, place first aid kits at every department and corner to cure minor injuries on the spot. Brief your staff on the safety protocols and equip them with the safety gear. If there are any freshies in the team, take them through a training procedure, making them aware of all the responsibilities. By staying on the top of all safety guidelines, workers can complete any given tasks in a way that keeps risks minimum.
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Acquire Necessary Equipment
Unlike old times, construction workers no longer have to spend months digging the grounds. With the right equipment and tools, these tasks can get finished in a day, depending on the project size. In this modern era, construction is all about having the correct machinery and equipment. Even though your equipment needs vary from project to project, excavators and bulldozers play a crucial role in every project. Similarly, managers can determine other machinery needs during the planning process.
You can either purchase them or opt for rentals, anything that suits your budget. It is preferable to compare both options and then call the shots. Besides the construction equipment, don’t forget to grab personal protective equipment. From hard hats, gloves, boots, dust masks, earmuffs, to protective eye-wear – fully prep the workers.
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Create a Secure Parameter
When a property is the middle of construction, the entire site is dangerous. Hence, establish a safe construction site by defining parameters to close doors for potential threats. You have to do more than putting a board of ‘construction ahead,’ which means setting up fences around. It will prevent unauthorized access while ensuring a safe distance between public areas. If your site is on a busy street, plan traffic routines and create some space for walkways or crossings. Lastly, put up signages across the construction site to remind the staff about their professional responsibilities.
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Legal Documentation & Paperwork
Have you come across incomplete construction sites? Once the construction begins, authorities start coming in to inquire about paperwork, and if even one permit is missing, they can stop the work. If you want to secure the site from these disruptions, create a construction phase plan. The requirements vary from project to project as you need special permits for high-risk activities. After all, constructing a building in the residential area is a lot different than commercial construction.
Therefore, gather and compile all the documents before breaking the ground. If you want to avoid unnecessary inspection, display all the documents on the construction site. You can get a noticeboard and stick all safety protocols, emergency plans, flyers, and insurance certificates. It keeps the authority informed while serving as a reminder for workers to follow the rules.
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Check On-Site Facilities
Does the site have stable ground for scaffolding? Is there enough space to use a crane? Usually, in the middle of a complex building, adjusting all these things becomes challenging. You might have to build a firm ground or create a pathway, but all these decisions should occur before construction. Moreover, you would be spending most of your time on the construction site. Likewise, the project will also involve manual labor – handling material, transporting equipment, etc. Thus, ensure the site has good amenities for the workers – washing area, clean water, and changing rooms.
Final Thoughts:
Indeed, the construction industry is a dangerous one, but you can readily mitigate risks in a tech-savvy world. The human involvement is decreasing as machinery is holding the bag for all dynamite and unsafe tasks. Start planning everything without compromising on safety to make reasonable decisions. If you get your priorities straight, while ensuring transparency, nothing can stop your business from reaching heights.