The way communication is transmitted and received plays a pivotal role in job-site safety.

Effective communication can help lower the chance of injuries, streamline operations and improve overall safety. It can also aid in compliance with regulatory requirements and safety protocols, and facilitate a positive safety culture. Employers and workers that prioritize open and transparent communication create an environment where employees feel comfortable enough to report unsafe conditions, identify hazards and speak up about near-miss incidents.

Implement a good program

Organizations can establish such an environment by implementing an anonymous reporting system and thoroughly investigating and responding to each situation accordingly. Additionally, it is important to  ensure that no retaliatory or punitive action is taken against those who speak out. This proactive approach to safety will go a long way in achieving an incident-free workplace.

Many electrical and construction tasks are executed by teams, so the key to success is good communication. Electrical and construction work can get heated at times. Using the right words at the right times will prevent conflict and arguments, ensure everyone is on the same page about the task at hand and maintain positive morale.

Effective communication is also critical for workers’ safety training on best practices, hazard identification and risk mitigation. Raising hazard awareness through regular and recurring safety meetings, toolbox talks and training sessions is at the crux of workers’ ability to understand and safely navigate their environment.

Be aware of barriers

One potential challenge in relaying information to a multicultural workforce is a language barrier. Many employers are providing training and briefings in multiple languages. Additionally, all OSHA education and training materials can be found in 32 languages.

Slang is another barrier to communication. New hires may not be familiar with all the industry lingo, and there is the potential for slang words to be used differently by region. Workers may use different words than their teammates for the same item or process. As a result, employers must ensure workers know what everything means on every site.

When accidents occur, good communication is paramount in the dissemination of details to first responders and those rendering first aid or assisting in evacuation. It can greatly reduce the severity of an injury and be the difference between life and death during an emergency response. Employers must have clearly defined communication protocols in their emergency response plan.

Across the board, employers  and project managers should have clearly defined roles and responsibilities when it comes to communication. Additionally, they should hold regular safety meetings and briefings, implement visual tools and aides, use technology to communicate in real time and encourage reporting of near-miss scenarios.

Know Your roles

Individual workers also need a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities when it comes to communication. When these are appropriately defined, workers are more familiar with the job they are tasked with, the hazards they may encounter and how to safely complete their work. In turn, this reduces the likelihood of an injury or incident occurring.

According to the National Institute of Health’s study “Fostering Safety Communication Among Construction Workers: Role of Safety Climate and Crew-Level Cohesion,” “When workers do not sufficiently communicate relevant safety hazards and appropriate injury prevention measures, unexpected injuries can follow.” 

Regularly occurring safety meetings and briefings are a good way for employers to reiterate roles, responsibilities and hazardous conditions. They offer a forum for workers to ask questions and receive clarification on specific tasks and hazards.

Use signage, color coding and labeling to communicate about worker safety. These visible indicators can be strategically positioned at key locations on a job site to reinforce the presence of hazards, hazardous materials, safety precautions and emergency exits. Employers should educate workers on color coding and signal words and have alternative warning indicators for individuals that are visually impaired.

Finally, technological advancement has made communication faster, more precise and accessible. Many workers now use wearable devices that can detect falls, the presence of electricity and even physiological indicators that may predict a medical event, oxygen levels or the presence of hazardous substances. 

Other devices such as two-way radios, smartphones and tablets can also be effective in disseminating job-specific data, safety or weather hazards and emergency response information in real time, too.

Good communication in the workplace can increase productivity, worker morale and safety. Ultimately, enhancing worker safety can result in reduced insurance premiums, a better reputation for the employer and greater overall compliance.

stock.adobe.com / wei