National Preparedness Month: Protect Your Crew, Company & Jobs

September is National Preparedness Month, an opportunity for companies everywhere to assess their situations, pinpoint areas for potential improvement and take steps to remain ready for whatever the future might hold. This annual event is headed up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). And, although situated at the peak of Atlantic hurricane season, it’s about more than looking out for wild weather.

Here, General Chipping’s concrete chipping pros delve into important — and often overlooked— considerations for National Preparedness Month. Read on for tips surrounding everything from construction accident prevention to weather-related safety and ways to position your business for improved success.

Key into Construction Accident Prevention

Concrete construction can pose serious risks to workers and those around them. By giving added thought to worker needs, the tools in use and overall construction accident prevention, you have the power to keep your crew better protected on the job site.

• Evaluate Your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Do you have enough hard hats, safety harnesses and high-visibility apparel for crew members? What about eye and hand protection? Is PPE worn out or damaged in ways that could impact its usability or effectiveness? Make note of potential needs and order replacements where needed.
  
• Consider Your Approach to Construction Safety Training: Job sites can be unpredictable places. Regular training regarding the proper way for team members to take on their work, safe operation of tools and equipment, and what to do in the event of an accident can save lives. Consider incorporating safety topics into team member toolbox talks, covering issues such as basic first aid, fall prevention, heat-related illness and safe ergonomics.
  
• Assess Your Tools and Equipment: Concrete construction can be hard on the equipment, vehicles and tools upon which your crew relies. Perform thorough inspections before each job, keeping an eye out for frayed cords, strange lags or issues such as cracks and breaks that could impact performance. Immediately report issues to team leads who can determine whether affected equipment is safe for use.

Make Plans for Stormy, Hot and Cold Weather Construction Work

From extreme storm scenarios to seasonal temperature shifts, outdoor environments can have significant impacts on construction sites and those working in them. We recommend putting plans in place to help your crew navigate their jobs safely through changing seasons.

• Prepare Your People and Job Sites for Storm Season: Have a hurricane plan in place and be sure your team is well-versed in aspects such as who should leave if officials call for evacuations, how team members should keep in touch and what to expect if company equipment or office space would experience damage. In addition, maintain an adequate supply of PPE, batteries and other necessities your crew can turn to if work must continue amid power outages. You can find additional tips for hurricane prep in our storm season blog post.
  
• Develop a Plan for Concrete Work in Cold Conditions: Concrete work in late autumn and winter can present health and safety concerns for crew members — and can impact poured material, too. Gather the team long before cold weather construction work sets in to ensure they understand how to approach their jobs in the safest manner possible. Touch on topics such as taking regular breaks in warm areas, proper attire for winter projects, spotting cold stress and the importance of working in pairs. While you’re at it, educate them about how humidity and temperature can impact the concrete itself. Our blog about pouring concrete in cold weather can help.
  
• Have Plans in Place for Hot Weather Concrete Work: Extreme heat and humidity paired with labor-intensive concrete construction work can prove dangerous for crew members who aren’t adequately prepared. Well before summer sets in, discuss safety considerations with company leaders and crew members. Cover everything from incorporating shaded hydration stations workers can turn to when they need a break to proper sun protection PPE, how to spot and respond to heat-related illness and ways to help crew members acclimatize to hot weather work. Don’t forget to discuss ways hot conditions can impact poured concrete and special considerations crews should take.

Pull Together a Construction Business Plan for the Coming Year

As the current year draws to a close, now is the ideal time to tie up loose ends, assess your company’s standings and pull a construction business plan together for the year to come. The good news is, even small steps can go a long way toward making operations more efficient, effective and organized. Here are some places to start.

• Take a By-the-Numbers Look at Business: Past indicators are often the best tools when planning for what’s to come. Dig into the data surrounding your previous year’s work. How many jobs did you take on? What seasons were busiest? How often did change orders impact projects? Did you often go over budget? Once you have a general understanding of how your company operates, you can take steps to improve in the year to come. Whether that means increased staffing during busy times or paying closer attention to the project quotes, more information now can lead to better outcomes down the line.
  

• Get Back-Office Work in Order: Reconcile outstanding payments, file or shred piled-up documents and take steps to get your tax season paperwork in order. Don’t forget to organize your digital files, as they can add up, too.
  
• Put a Maintenance Plan in Place: Ongoing maintenance such as concrete chipping appointments, oil changes and tune-ups keep your vehicles ready to help you carry out your work. Even so, they often go overlooked. Take the opportunity now to get your full year’s worth of maintenance appointments on the books. That way, they won’t be forgotten, and you can work your regular schedule around them. (Our industry recommends booking concrete chipping every three months!)

National Preparedness Month isn’t just about ensuring your operations are storm ready. It’s a chance to set your concrete construction company on a smarter, safer path forward. If you have questions about any of the above, or if you’re interested in learning how General Chipping can help look after your fleet with concrete chipping, silo cleaning and central mixer cleaning services, feel free to reach out at any time. We’re here to keep you ready to roll.