By David Ward, safety consultant

Our current generation is all about technology and moving quickly. The next generation will be forced to work in a construction industry that has more dangerous work conditions, due to the potential lack of skilled labor, with those skilled laborers working longer hours, where fatigue may set in. Currently, construction companies and manufacturing companies are finding it difficult to hire and/or attract new millennial employees. Millennials can be seen as very independent and difficult to manage, as they believe they can move from job to job if it’s not what they want. 

Millennials bring technology savvy with them, but I have heard complaints from some managers about their work ethic. I have several manufacturing clients that cannot keep millennials employed, as some move from job to job for just a few pennies more. 

Even in “normal” times training is very difficult to complete on a construction site. Now with COVID-19, that training has become even more difficult, as most companies will not allow you on their worksite unless you are an essential worker. In construction, training is hampered by language barriers. Being safe today has several steps before you’re allowed on anyone’s property. Taking your temperature is first, filling out the COVID-19 questionnaire is second, and then having the appropriate PPE (mask, gloves, face shields), just to name a few. Keeping the hand sanitizer available and properly stored and located through the work area is important. 

I can’t say if there is a PPE “best practice,” since this is a new concept and everyone is trying to do all they can to protect their employees. Employees must be held accountable for properly wearing the required equipment. But it’s tough when employees don’t feel it’s important.

I recently had a safety manager say, “What can I do, as they just won’t wear the mask? It’s the law.” I advised her to make it personal. Tell her, “If you don’t want to protect yourself, you have that option. But my job is to protect you and everyone else on this worksite. If you can’t protect those around you, including your family, I have to. Not wearing your mask could cost you your job…is it worth it?” 

Construction sites bring up many challenges when it comes to safety. Now add to that the additional emphasis of COVID-19 into the mix, and you see how demanding protecting employees can be. Construction workers many times need to work close together, so social distancing guidelines are a challenge. Working with the same tools, ladders, and other equipment is another virus area they have to think about. 

The next generation of workers in the construction industry will face new technology. Technology that requires more training, since the equipment will be even more expensive. Employers are no longer looking for just a warm body, they are looking for individuals with certain skills and abilities, including a strong work ethic. Companies see the value in building a strong safety culture. Employees that are more engaged in safety activities create a safer work environment that makes the company more profitable. The employee then has a higher value of themselves and of the company, which increases productivity and a reduction in injuries.  

Safety Training

Safety training may include but is not limited to the list below:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Lockout/Tagout
• Globally Harmonized Systems (GHS)
• Fire Extinguisher 
• Machine Guarding
• Hazard Recognition
• Electrical Safety Work Practices
• Confined Space Entry
• Trenching
• Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT)
• Walking-Working Surfaces
• Fall Protection
• Ladder Safety
• Emergency Plans
• Respiratory Protection
• Injury Reporting
• Near Miss

Training should be hands-on face to face and not just sitting in a room watching videos. The purpose of training is to ensure that the employee understands the expectations, and then you must explain the consequences for not following the requirements. Training should consist of some means of ensuring that the information provided is understood – either through testing, quizzes, or even better – practical evaluation. 

It is critical to make sure that all employees fully understand the emergency action plans, and that all plans have hands-on training. Knowing what to do in an emergency is life-saving, but many companies don’t place enough emphasis on making sure all employees on all shifts are properly trained. Just the basic fire drill training is critical. I have completed emergency action plan training for several companies in which several supervisors had valid concerns when it came to conducting fire drills. They actually wanted to know if they were going to be held accountable if someone was injured or killed in an actual emergency. 

According to OSHA, training should be conducted in a language that they understand (Spanish, Polish, Chinese, etc), and it is mandatory. In construction there are many hazards, and if not properly trained to recognize these hazards, employees are exposed to fall hazards, electrical hazards, struck-by hazards and caught in between hazards. 

Safety training emphasizes the importance of recognizing safety hazards that employees could have the potential of being exposed to and how to correct those issues. 

Safety training is critical in reducing the potential risk of injury/death. Once the initial training is completed then they should receive more specific training from the department they will be assigned to. 

Training should be mandatory and it’s required by OSHA. In the construction industry, falls are in OHSA’s top 10 list of injuries. Employees are exposed to working at heights, and if not properly trained in the equipment necessary to protect them, the risks become enormous  – not only for the employee but the employer.

The focus of safety and health programs in construction is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, as well as the innocent suffering and financial adversity experienced by employees, their families, and employers.

Working around heavy equipment and Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT) create another significant hazard. Employees need to be trained on how to become more aware of their surroundings. 

Training is a critical component for any company with the hazardous conditions identified in the construction field. It’s important to understand the hazards, conditions, and the environment as you work because they can change rapidly.

The new generation is going to be faced with tremendous opportunities. The question will be are they ready to take on the challenges that are ahead. And it’s up to everyone involved to make sure they are.

About the Author

David A. Ward Sr, Senior Safety Consultant for Sentry Insurance and former owner and CEO of Safety By Design Consultant Services, Federal Investigator, OSHA and National Safety Examiner, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons and Security Police, USAF. My focus is to provide quality customer service with effective solutions to resolve your safety concerns, and reduce your loss of revenue, production, profits, accidents, injuries, exposure to workplace hazards, and fatalities. For questions about this article or additional information, please contact David at david.ward@sentry.com, or dward@sbdcs.com