When it comes to construction, there are multiple ways you can make your site safer for those working and visiting it. Safety is not just a priority, it’s a commitment. The reality is that construction sites, by nature, can be extremely hazardous places, and ensuring the safety of those using the site is paramount.
It’s crucial to remember that safety, function, and comfort are all integral to a construction site’s operations. While the focus is often on safety, the site’s function and comfort can significantly impact the wellbeing of your crew. Even in a challenging work environment, it’s possible to provide benefits and create a space that prioritizes their comfort and function.
How can construction companies show their workers they care and are invested in their wellbeing, not just their safety and efficiency?
Improve Communication
Nothing brings a workforce down like poor communication. It’s the fastest way to reach a toxic environment and reduce quality and standards. Poor communication can impact your team in multiple ways, and if you want to improve your workplace as much as you can, then communication needs to be addressed. And not just from certain team members but across the board. It’s not a one-way street; everyone needs to be on the same page regarding how to communicate, who to communicate to, and when they need to communicate. Because the more open the conversation is, the better the standards will be, the fewer mistakes will be made, and the happier people will feel when they come to work each day.
Improve Facilities
Let’s be real: construction sites have a certain reputation around them for not being the most comfortable of places of work or the most convenient. However, by changing the narrative and being the exception, not the norm, you can enhance your team’s comfort levels and support them as they need to be supported.
This could be done by having a temporary staff room or break room on site to accommodate people between shifts or help people grab a break and have somewhere safe to relax. It might be that you invest in the best restrooms and holding tank rental options to enhance your plumbing set-up when you don’t have permanent plumbing facilities. Or you might find that having an on-site caterer and somewhere to eat works better for your team. Whatever you need for your basic human rights and to retain the dignity of the entire workforce, bring it on-site for the best improvements possible.
Support Wellbeing
Construction can take its toll on people, and in a sector where there are massive labor shortages, the construction industry is predicted to need an additional 439,000 workers in 2025; this tool can be magnified.
As an employer, you need to focus on the health and well-being of your team so you don’t push them to burnout. Burnout is not only bad for business as it leads to delays and increased mistakes, but it can also result in people not being fit for work, thus reinforcing and exacerbating the shortage issue.
Employers can assist workers by not being so stringent on employee absences, helping to manage workloads and not driving people to do more than they are capable of. It also means assisting in getting mental health support, physical health support and more to encourage them to take care of their physical and mental health so they can get on with work without the intense pressure that can come with this sector.
Proper Management
If you don’t have an efficient management structure that works cohesively, then you cannot expect to have a productive workforce. There will be a mass of miscommunication and crossed wires, resulting in people being more stressed as they don’t know what they are expected to do and when. By having your management team work together closely and developing strong bonds that facilitate a productive working environment, you can automatically boost the workplace culture and ensure that everyone is getting the assistance and support they need when they need it.
Healthy Work Ethics
In the US, there is a culture of working people too much, too hard, and not allowing them to switch off when not in work. Whether it is expecting them to work past their contracted hours for free or not or allowing them time off or breaks, this can accelerate burnout in your employees and put you at risk of major issues and concerns with the quality of your work.
Promoting a healthy work-life balance, encouraging people to have breaks, step away and not expecting them to work too much, especially outside of contracted hours, not only leads to a physically healthier, more efficient workplace but supports their mental health and wellbeing by acknowledging they have lives outside of your employment and not encroaching on this when you do need to.
Recognize and Reward
A great way to enhance the working environment for everyone is to be focused on recognizing and rewarding good work and achievements. It doesn’t matter if they’re massive, significant achievements or simply for some out-of-the-box problem solving or just generally being a solid, reliable part of the team. For those who show up for you, show up for them, and instantly, you will notice a difference in the vibe, and you can lift your working environment.
Be Flexible
Flexibility when working toward deadlines isn’t always as easy as it might sound. But if your work-life balance is taking a hit or demands on your team are pushing them to breaking point, chances are you won’t be able to deliver what you need to regardless.
Being flexible with your team, factoring in time off, or changes to staff levels can help you to manage expectations and accommodate the needs of those working for you; there won’t always be times this is possible, but avoid being strict and not allowing for any changes or deviations from the original plans as this can be extremely detrimental. As much as possible, understand the needs of your team and work with them to ensure that you can be as flexible as they need you to be without missing deadlines or experiencing massive delays.
