How to Make Safety a True Priority for Your Construction Crew
Every construction manager knows safety matters. You’ve seen the statistics, heard the horror stories, and witnessed close calls. But simply knowing safety is important doesn’t always translate into workers actually taking it seriously on-site.
If you’re struggling with a crew that cuts corners or sees safety checks as tedious chores that prevent them from getting done in time, it’s time to rethink your approach. Safety can’t just be an afterthought or a box to check. It must become a core part of your team’s culture and workflow.
Here’s how you can shift safety from something your team has to do to something they actively choose to do, day after day.
Set Clear Expectations from Day One
Safety starts at the top – and it starts early. From day one, clearly outline what’s expected regarding safety practices, protocols, and standards. Your team won’t prioritize safety unless they know exactly what’s required.
Communicate safety standards consistently during orientation, toolbox talks, and daily briefings. Clearly emphasize that safety rules aren’t optional and always explain the reasoning behind protocols. In other words, they should be aware of the fact that workers are far more likely to follow procedures when they understand exactly how it protects them and their teammates.
Provide Thorough and Ongoing Training
Safety is about knowing exactly how to execute tasks correctly and safely. One of the biggest mistakes managers make is assuming everyone knows how to properly use equipment or safely perform specialized tasks. Never assume – just train consistently.
This is particularly crucial when it comes to specialized equipment like Mobile Elevated Work Platforms, including scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts, and boom lifts. These tools dramatically simplify tasks, but if workers aren’t properly trained, they can also become major safety hazards.
“Working at heights has its risks,” Safety By Design emphasizes. “But when done correctly, using the right equipment and training, tasks that require elevation don’t have to result in injuries or costly setbacks. Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) are a go-to for jobs that demand safe elevation, but they’re only as safe as the people operating them.”
Make sure anyone who operates MEWPs receives comprehensive, up-to-date MEWP training, certification, and regular refreshers. They should clearly understand the capabilities and limitations of each lift type, as well as what to do in the event of a malfunction or emergency.
Involve Workers in Safety Conversations
If your workers feel safety measures are imposed from above without input, they’re less likely to take ownership of them. Safety should never be a one-way conversation. Ask your team for feedback: What works well? What doesn’t? Where do they notice hazards or weak points in the workflow?
Creating an open dialogue around safety helps your crew feel respected and engaged. They’ll appreciate that you value their experience and insight, and they’ll become more invested in implementing safer practices.
Here’s a pro tip: Consider forming a safety committee made up of crew members from different areas of your construction team. These members can identify potential risks, share ideas for improvement, and communicate directly with management about issues on-site.
Show the Real-Life Impact of Safety
One of the most powerful ways to get your crew to prioritize safety is to demonstrate the real-life consequences when things go wrong (and how proper safety practices can prevent those outcomes).
Use actual case studies or real-life scenarios. Don’t be afraid to talk about incidents from other companies or industry reports, highlighting exactly how proper procedures could have prevented injuries or fatalities. Visual reminders and stories often leave a lasting impact that statistics alone can’t achieve.
When workers see the human impact – how a careless mistake or skipped step can change lives – it motivates them to approach their own tasks with greater caution and care.
Consistently Recognize and Reward Safe Practices
Positive reinforcement goes a long way toward building a culture of safety. Workers who consistently follow safety guidelines should feel valued and recognized for their commitment.
This doesn’t have to mean costly rewards. Simply calling out individuals or teams during morning meetings or providing small incentives – like lunch, gift cards, or even company-wide recognition – can reinforce that safe behaviors matter and won’t go unnoticed.
When team members see their colleagues being rewarded and praised for prioritizing safety, it creates positive peer pressure. Over time, safer practices become the new norm rather than the exception.
Hold Everyone Accountable
If you truly want a safe worksite, accountability is key. Every team member must know that safety rules aren’t flexible. But this accountability has to flow both ways. Not only do workers need to be held accountable, but leadership must also model safety standards without exception.
If managers or supervisors ignore basic PPE requirements or bypass safety procedures, your crew will quickly follow suit. On the other hand, when your leadership team visibly and consistently practices safety guidelines, your crew sees clearly that the rules matter to everyone.
Accountability should also be fair and consistent. Workers should know exactly what consequences come with ignoring safety protocols. Enforce these consistently, focusing on corrective action rather than punishment.
Taking Safety Seriously
In a blue-collar work environment where workers tend to put on tough, grizzled personas, getting an entire crew to take safety seriously can be a bit of an uphill challenge. However, if you make it a priority from the very top, it will trickle down into much stronger adoption.
Keep these tips in mind as you do so!
