Building restoration projects help maintain property value, decrease vacancy rates, and improve energy efficiency. However, the hazards associated with the restoration process can present serious issues for contractors, their clients, and their team.
Here we look at proven ways to mitigate risks during building restoration projects from the experts at our COR™ certified construction team.
Include risk management at the planning stage
Risk management addresses potential safety issues that compromise performance and introduce hazards that disrupt the integrity of the worksite.
For example identifying potential risks of the “Fatal Four” can reduce the common accidents responsible for 60% of construction site deaths:
- Falls
- Being struck by objects
- Electrocution
- Being caught between materials or equipment
In hand with risk management, a safety-first culture will introduce policies and principles designed to guide risk assessments and inform decisions on job site safety.
The greatest fall risk: window replacement
Safety regulations designate suites in buildings undergoing window replacement as construction zones due to falling hazards. As a result, occupants should not be present during the process.
Unfortunately, one of the main contributors to the risk of falls during window replacement is non-compliance with this safety standard. If residents choose not to leave, contractors, building owners and property managers face difficulties enforcing the regulation. Distrust of landlords is often the reason residents are reluctant to leave their units.
An effective strategy to overcome distrust is to include tenants in your group of stakeholders. They will gain a clear understanding of the process and the benefits of building restoration. As representatives of the project, tenant stakeholders are more persuasive in explaining the risks involved for tenants and workers.
During interactions with residents, tenant stakeholders can also collect tenant questions and submit them to building management anonymously. Using this approach helps ensure all residents understand the process and feel safer leaving their units. As a result, tenant stakeholders can help increase compliance with critical safety standards.
What is a safety-first culture?
A safety-first culture ensures the entire team shares a joint responsibility in creating a safe working environment. All workers must share a “Safety-First Mentality” with a keen understanding of safety policies and procedures.
A Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) creates a guide for safety protocols, while the culture creates, maintains, and constantly improves Occupational Health and Safety practices including:
- Ongoing safety policy development that applies to all levels within the company
- Accountability of each team member to fulfill their individual obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Hazard reporting protocols and accident investigations to find opportunities to prevent similar incidents
- Ongoing safety training, monitoring, and enforcement to ensure each employee adheres to safety standards
- Pre-work/use inspections and accurate logs recording findings and any actions taken
- Ongoing safety inspections of the worksite’s premises, buildings, tools, equipment, and machinery
- Identifying individual worker shortfalls in safe work practices to provide opportunities for enhanced training
- Inspections of proper personal protective equipment based on tasks
Hire a COR™ certified construction company
As a COR™ certified construction company, WellDone Inc. offers many benefits that help mitigate risks including:
- Proactively identifying, assessing, and controlling risks based on the specific job site
- Improving productivity and efficiency to reduce risks throughout the restoration process
- Adhering to a strict HSMS that introduces the highest standard of safety protocols to control risks
Mitigating risks reduces disruptions to maintain a fully operational job site. Through risk management and a safety-first mindset, contractors are better prepared to meet tight schedules, reduce costs, and avoid insurance increases/liabilities.
At WellDone Inc., our customers see the cost savings of our COR™ driven efficiencies. If you would like more information about our building improvement services for commercial and multi-unit residential buildings throughout the GTA, contact our team today.