Construction Safety Week 2024
This week, the industry recognizes Construction Safety Week. Why is construction safety such an important topic? Once you dig into the numbers, it’s easy to see. The last survey completed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry. In fact, the sector accounted for 46.2% of all fatal falls, slips, and trips – up 5.9%. A majority of fatal occupation injuries and a large proportion of nonfatal injuries result from construction focus four hazards, which include falls to a lower level, struck-by electrocutions, and caught-in/between injuries.
Construction Safety Week’s goal is to prioritize safety at every job site by empowering individuals to stay focused on safety and take action if they notice potential risks. It advocates for better safety processes, mental health resources, and equipment standards to create a safer working environment. Its purpose is to show everyone the positive impact of safe choices on team members, their families, and communities, and it is committed to continuously improving safety culture every day on every job site. The theme of this year’s Safety Week is “Value Every Voice” and focuses on the following:
Drive Personal Ownership: Recognize the role and responsibility of every individual to own their environment and safety and the importance of building confidence in every team member.
The safety and success of any construction project are determined by the individual decisions and actions of every team member.
Encourage & Welcome New Ideas: Show that being more inclusive with construction safety planning, programming, and practices leads to deeper trust, respect, unity, and understanding within teams.
Regardless of their role, each person on the job has a profound responsibility to take initiative, accountability, and personal ownership in keeping their team and job site safe. We must work to create an environment that encourages communication, teamwork, sharing of ideas and perspectives, and a commitment to listening and embracing every voice. This builds trust and confidence in every individual and deepens respect, unity, and understanding within teams at all levels.
Embrace Every Voice: Emphasize the importance of listening and accepting what’s communicated in the workplace to ensure every voice is heard and strengthen team trust and respect.
Everyone is empowered to use their voice, but voices only matter if they’re heard. Regarding safety, nothing is more important than listening, understanding, and embracing what is communicated in the workplace. This is how we create the foundation for a culture that empowers and values every voice and ensures everyone in every role feels seen, heard, and supported.
Strengthen Our Culture: Elevate individual contributions to our collective success in building a more robust safety culture that inspires and impacts the future of our industry.
Positive change is the collective efforts of every company, project team, and individual. One decision can change an entire project, one incident can change an entire team, and one voice can inspire many more that can change an entire industry. It takes commitment, determination, and confidence in each and every one of us to create a strong safety culture that will impact our careers, families, communities, and industry for generations to come.
Visit the Construction Safety Week website to learn more about their pledge and drive to promote a rigorous safety culture.