According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), over 4,000 workers accidentally die every year. These fatalities and injuries mainly occur from falls, being struck by an object, or electrocutions. In addition, another 100,000 are seriously injured while working on construction sites in the United States. Therefore, it is the responsibility of construction site managers to ensure that their worksites are as safe and clean as possible.
The construction site is a dynamic and ever-changing environment. Therefore, it is vital to maintain a clean and tidy construction site to ensure the safety of workers and the public and comply with regulations.
There are many ways to achieve a tidy construction site, but some best practices include:
1. Ensuring that all waste disposes of properly:
It is essential to ensure that all waste is disposed of properly. It includes both solid and liquid waste. Solid waste should go in designated garbage bins and liquid waste in a septic tank or sewer. In addition, all workers should know where the designated disposal areas are available. Besides, hygiene is an essential factor in maintaining a tidy construction site.
Hand-washing facilities, toilets, and drinking water should be readily available for workers. For instance, bathrooms can be made available in the common areas of the construction site. A good option is to use porta potties for construction sites as they do not require plumbing. In addition, you can have a rental restroom delivered and placed on your construction site.
2. Creating and enforcing a cleanliness policy:
It is crucial to have a clear and concise policy regarding site cleanliness. This policy should be communicated to all workers and posted in a visible location. The policy should outline the expectations for cleanliness and the consequences for not following the procedure. In addition, the policy should be reviewed regularly and updated as needed. However, having a policy is not enough – it needs reinforcement to be effective.
3. Scheduling regular cleaning and maintenance breaks:
Construction site managers should schedule regular breaks for workers to clean up their work areas. These breaks should be at least once per day and more often if necessary. In addition, workers should get adequate time to clean up properly. If possible, construction site managers should consider hiring professional cleaners to do a more thorough job regularly. However, it is essential to schedule regular cleaning and maintenance breaks for workers, even with professional cleaners.
4. Providing adequate storage for materials and equipment:
Another way to keep a construction site tidy is to provide proper storage of materials and equipment. It will prevent items from being left out in the open and help keep work areas organized. Adequate storage may include shelves, cabinets, bins, and containers. However, it is still important to encourage workers to pick up after themselves and put items away after usage, even with sufficient storage. In addition, label storage areas so that workers know where to find what they are looking for.
5. Encouraging workers to take pride in their work area:
Construction site managers should encourage workers to take pride in their work area. For example, workers need to appreciate when they do a good job of keeping their work area clean and tidy. In addition, construction site managers can provide incentives for workers to maintain a clean and safe work environment. However, it is still important to encourage workers to take pride in their work area, even with incentives.
6. Discouraging smoking and the use of other tobacco products:
Smoking and other tobacco products should be discouraged on construction sites. Smoking is a fire hazard and can also be a health hazard for workers and the general public. In addition, tobacco products can create litter and make a construction site look dirty.
7. Improving site drainage:
Improving site drainage can help to keep a construction site tidy. Poor drainage can cause water to pool in areas and lead to mold and mildew growth. In addition, poor drainage can make it difficult to keep work areas clean and can create slip and fall hazards. However, it is still essential to improve site drainage even with these dangers.
8. Using barriers and fencing:
Temporary barriers and fencing can help to keep a construction site tidy. Barricades and fencing can create a physical barrier between the construction site and the general public. In addition, walls and fencing can help keep construction materials and equipment from being blown around by the wind.
9. Inspecting the site regularly:
Construction site managers should inspect the site regularly. It will help identify any areas that need to be cleaned or repaired. In addition, periodically reviewing the site will help ensure that workers follow the site’s safety regulations. Also, regularly inspecting the area can help catch any potential hazards before they cause accidents.
10. Hiring a professional cleaning service:
Construction site managers can hire a professional cleaning service to clean the site regularly. It can be an effective way to keep the place clean and tidy. However, even with a professional cleaning service, it is still important to encourage workers to take pride in their work area and pick up after themselves. Luckily, there are many ways to keep a construction site tidy. By following these best practices, construction site managers can create a safe and clean work environment for their workers.
The Bottom Line:
These are some ways you can help maintain the hygiene and cleanliness at a construction site. Construction work is challenging, very physical, and often requires long hours at the site. Therefore, it is essential to take care of the workers and make sure they work in a hygienic environment. By following these best practices, construction site managers can create a safe and clean work environment for their workers. Also, encouraging workers to take pride in their work area and pick up after themselves can help keep a construction site tidy.