The construction industry has one of the most hazardous working environments. Fortunately, construction companies are at the forefront of promoting occupational safety in the workplace to protect millions of employees. They are not above adopting technologies and innovations, including construction safety management software, to improve working conditions.   

The construction industry is known to be one of the most hazardous working environments in the world. A long history of enduring risky worksites, working from heights, falling objects, electrocutions, and many other hazards has prompted the industry to take action.

Over the past few decades, construction companies have moved to the forefront of EHS initiatives to promote occupational safety in the workplace to protect millions of employees. They are not above adopting technologies and innovations, including construction safety management software, to improve working conditions.

Challenges in the Industry 

Contractors face plenty of challenges in ensuring the safety and health of their employees. Typically, construction workers are exposed to physical, social, mental, and biological hazards whenever they go to work. For example, a brick mason is at risk of falling from great heights, suffering from an injury due to heavy loads, getting cement dermatitis, or experiencing persistent orthopedic problems. Likewise, electricians are exposed to electrical hazards, construction dust, and posture issues. 

Despite all of the progress over the years, construction firms still face plenty of challenges in ensuring the safety and health of their employees. Typically, construction workers are exposed to physical, social, mental, and biological hazards whenever they go to work. For example, a brick mason is at risk of falling from great heights, suffering from an injury due to heavy loads, getting cement dermatitis from handling materials, or experiencing persistent orthopedic problems. Likewise, electricians are exposed to electrical hazards, construction dust, and posture issues. 

Some of the workplace hazards include: 

• Physical 
• Biological
• Chemical
• Ergonomic
• Environmental
• Personal safety
• Work organization

In light of all these potential dangers, employers are responsible for minimizing exposures and risks to employees who face these hazards daily. 

In light of all these potential dangers, employers and employees alike are responsible for minimizing exposures and risks to employees who face these hazards daily, and both are demanding better technology and stronger tools. 

To ensure compliance, construction companies must also update their industry occupational safety standards, and to do so, the construction safety software solution will help these companies keep pace with any new changes to the policies and regulations to avoid sanctions and fines. Also, the construction safety software makes it simpler for the contractor to obtain a Certificate of Recognition (COR).  

Forward thinking construction companies take the extra step of achieving COR™. The Certificate of Recognition program ensures that first are completely up to date on the latest health and safety policies and practices and allows contractors to prove to their clients that they are not a liability. Construction safety software makes this process much easier in many ways.

Why is a Certificate of Recognition Important?

A COR is handed to a construction company that meets occupational health and safety standards. The Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Association (CFCSA) issues the COR to its members or companies that effectively implement tools and policies to promote a safe environment and minimize workplace incidents and injuries. 

A COR™ is issued to a construction company that meets occupational health and safety standards. The Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Association (CFCSA) issues the COR™ to its members or companies that effectively implement tools and policies to promote a safe environment and minimize workplace incidents and injuries. 

Clients will benefit from working with a contractor or construction company that holds a COR. This certificate guarantees clients and customers that they are dealing with a conscientious company with a heightened focus on employee protection. 

Clients will benefit from working with a contractor or construction company that holds a COR. This certificate guarantees clients and customers that they are dealing with a conscientious company with a heightened focus on employee protection. It’s also a clear indication that COR possessors will carry a much lower liability and much higher chance of hitting production targets, providing a competitive edge when bidding on tenders.

In practical terms, incidents and injuries do not only mean an employee has been hurt but the construction work will also be put on hold. These will result in delays, particularly when regulatory agencies investigate whether or not the contractor complied with the safety standards. 

One-Stop-Shop Solution: Construction Safety Management Software

Construction safety software is a cost-effective solution to help employers implement a comprehensive workers’ safety program. The technology drastically improves communication between management and workers to ensure that all safety policies are strictly implemented and followed. 

In addition, Sofvie’s construction safety management software will parse data, particularly on workplace incidents, hazards. and near misses. This accumulative reporting feature helps to demonstrate a company’s safety record and makes and streamlines the process of performing audits. As a result, users of this software will be able to follow the natural progress of collecting data, gleaning context from information, gaining knowledge, and acting with wisdom.

Benefits of Construction Safety Software

Adopting the solution will yield multiple advantages for the contractor:

Attract and retain highly skilled workers

Workers will be drawn to your company, especially if word gets around that you are conscious about their safety and welfare. 

Real-time collaboration

Project managers can communicate with supervisors and workers onsite and offsite. A centralized dashboard makes it easier for anyone to know their respective tasks, expectations and timelines. With a systematic approach, the project manager will always be on top of things regardless of potential problems.  

Paperless records

Using a mobile device, you can document your safety controls and access the decision making process at any time. In addition, you can store all critical records in a virtual repository, so you can avoid being buried underneath mountains of papers and forms and maintain the ability to look back at lessons learned.

Automating admin tasks

Contractors are familiar with the cumbersome administrative tasks they must perform daily. Not only does this eat up far too many hours of the workday, it invites human error. Simple functions like certification renewal reminders and required signatures on policy updates leaves much more time for boots on the ground.

Resource management

One challenge, particularly for a small company, is maximizing resources, including budget and personnel. Construction safety software helps minimize downtime. Any type of damage to people, equipment, or property is sure to interrupt productivity. Beyond that, morning Lineups are sure to consist of the right people assigned to the right task as it pertains to certification, reducing your risk of liability and making the most efficient use of your time.

As you can see, construction safety management software is an effective tool to radically improve your processes. Considering all of the benefits compared to the low cost, there’s really no excuse for any contractor not to subscribe to this solution to guarantee a more efficient construction process cycle.