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Safety Management

Construction Safety Software: Why Choosing the Right One Matters

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Shannon M Farley @sfarley
Safety & Compliance
6 min read
February 17, 2022

The construction industry remains one of the most dangerous sectors to work in. While construction workers make up only 6% of the American labor force, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), roughly 20% of worker deaths in the US occur in construction. This variance amplifies the need for a more sustained push to improve safety on the job for those working in the construction industry. Construction safety software can help mitigate those numbers.

Was the worker adequately trained? Did they have proper safety equipment? Was there a lack of supervision? These are important questions that are best answered by a solid safety management solution. Construction safety software also makes compliance efforts much easier because everything can be entered directly into the system, and many programs allow you to create custom forms for your specific needs.

This eliminates the error-prone manual processes, saving time, money, and of course, lives. It also makes it easier to perform audits, remain OSHA compliant, track safety data, and keep important personnel information up-to-date.

Using the best construction safety software to lessen the risk of injury and death is paramount to safety on the job site. Knowing that you need a robust safety plan is one thing, choosing one is quite another given the range of options out there.

So, what characteristics should project managers look for when considering a construction safety software solution? Let’s unpack the features so you can choose the right one that matters.

1) Asset Management

There were 297 crane-related deaths between 2011 and 2017, according to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). By ensuring assets (heavy machinery and equipment) are up to date on inspections and maintenance, project managers can reduce the risk of injury on their construction sites. Furthermore, the cost of repairing such machinery adds unforeseen burdens to the budget and timeline if the equipment isn’t properly inspected and maintained.

An asset management system within your construction safety software allows everyone involved with the project to collect essential asset performance data in real-time. Keeping track of such data enables you to extend the usability of assets necessary for day-to-day work.

Regular maintenance and inspections can drastically reduce injury related to malfunctioning machinery. Asset management makes it easy to track and stay ahead of the maintenance schedule. Ultimately, asset management shields against unplanned downtime resulting from injury, malfunction, or both.

Aside from safety, asset management systems provide real-time locations for your equipment. Internet of Things (IoT) devices allows managers to track their assets through GPS, Bluetooth receivers, and RFID tags. Furthermore, an asset register provides accurate information about every machine attached to your job site.

asset management shields against unplanned downtime resulting from injury, malfunction, or both.

2) Risk Assessment

Every business comes with an inherent degree of risk. In construction, that risk is more pronounced and takes the form of injury and malfunctioning equipment. Such events can lead to unplanned downtime, thus risking going over budget and timelines. Using construction safety software to assess risk can mitigate construction-related injuries.

So, what steps can project managers take to ensure they’re practicing proper risk management?

For starters, forming a construction safety plan is the first thing any project manager should do. While it sounds simple in theory, such programs entail more than basic job site rules and regulations. They detail on-site safety long before the job begins, implementing actionable steps in case of an unforeseen accident. Steps in this process include clear worker responsibilities, planned medical responses, and regular safety inspections, among several other aspects.

Keeping up with training and further learning is another critical step in construction risk assessment. Every job site is different, each presenting its unique degrees of risk. Therefore, training and safety precautions tailored to the specific job site can increase worker safety.

3) Data Analysis

With access to accurate, real-time data, project managers can keep better track of assets, contractors, and, most importantly, safety. With new pieces of technology coming on the market every day, companies that embrace the analytics age will automatically have a leg up on the competition. Construction safety software providing detailed data analytics can render work faster and safer.

Workplace accidents lead to labor shortages, liability, and damaged reputations. There’s also, of course, the very real possibility of the loss of human life. Managers can identify safety concerns and address them before they manifest with data analytics. Supervisors can collect and analyze data on engagement, safety educational material, and certifications to build an accurate assessment of the site’s safety.

4) Subcontractor Management

Every project works like a machine. Several subcontractors (the gears in the machine) work together towards a common goal. For project managers, chasing after and keeping track of those subcontractors can be frustrating. The best construction safety software allows you to manage and communicate clearly with your subcontractors, thus raising productivity and safety standards.

Subcontractors play several roles in the construction industry that are imperative to project success. They can often begin work on short notice, even when a larger workforce is necessary for the job. Usually, they’re specialists in a particular field. For example, you may hire subcontractors specializing in window installation as your housing project nears its end. Remember, though, these subcontractors are still working on your job site. Proper management software ensures they’re following the safety standards you’ve laid out for your workers.

Subcontractor management tools allow those overseeing the subs to maintain accurate inspections of the work. They’ll keep track of progress, quality, and safety while addressing issues before they turn into full-blown crises. Construction safety software makes keeping track of your subcontractors as easy as maintaining your own workforce.

5) Forms and Document Tracking

 

The construction industry comes with mountains of forms and paperwork related to subs, certifications, inspections, and safety. You can save yourself valuable time and money by digitizing that paperwork with construction safety software. Being able to instantly access those inspection and safety reports, automatically increase overall safety on the job site.

Digital safety logs within your construction safety software keep accurate records of daily training, inspections, and audits. They can also include predictive weather patterns and how many people are on the job. This information is key to understanding which factors could have adverse effects on a crew’s safety.

Furthermore, digital forms allow easy access on phones, tablets, or other devices. Before workers begin operating heavy machinery, they can quickly check to see the last time it was inspected. If that inspection is past or due, they can quickly relay that information to their project manager.

Improve Worker Safety With Salus Software

Need a form fast? No problem. Use Salus to create, collaborate and share digital forms that are customized to match your existing workflows. Lose the frustration when managing your daily to-do’s. Salus solutions automate repetitive tasks, saving time and, better yet, reducing human error.

Ensuring regulatory compliance is a critical consideration for construction site managers. With Salus Safety Management Software, you stay on top of your compliance obligations. With real-time insights, you can track corrective actions that improve your day-to-day decision-making.

Risk and asset management are paramount to construction site safety. Furthermore, accurate data analytics and subcontractor management ensure your project runs smoothly and, most of all, safely. Construction safety software provided by Salus is built for the construction industry so you are able to maintain the health, wellness, and safety of your workforce every time they step onto a job site.

Book demo today, and together, let’s bridge the gap from traditional to digital safety with industry-leading construction safety software.

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