1st Reporting
Construction safety meeting topics are essential to set up in advance to ensure optimal safety for your team. However, assuming your operation runs throughout the year, we’ve included an annual package of safety meeting topics to help you get started.
We recommend running a safety meeting every day before the shift and a more significant, more informative meeting once a week. The construction safety meeting topics outlined in this guide are intended for use with a weekly safety meeting schedule.
Let’s dive into the topic categories and break them into subcategories we can fit into an annual schedule.
Construction Safety Topics Assessment
We need to look at a few things to determine the best strategy for your construction-related health and safety meetings. First, we need to assess statistical data. That is, we can look at what sort of injuries, incidents, and risks are documented from previous accidents within our industry.
Next, we need to look at the Construction Industry based on the type of work to assess the most significant risks and those which require repeat training throughout the year. We’re also going to look at the kind of year, the risks associated with seasonal fluctuations, and how it affects worker safety throughout the year.
Construction Safety Data – What The Numbers Tell Us
If we really want to get down and dirty with the numbers, we need to look at statistical data provided by government regulatory agencies. Let’s take the US OSHA as our example.
According to OSHA, in 2021, the construction industry got 5 of the top ten spots in the Top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards violated. Take a look at the OSHA top 10 (I’ve highlighted the construction industry issues in bold/italic):
- Fall Protection, construction – (29 CFR 1926.501)
- Respiratory Protection, general industry – (29 CFR 1910.134)
- Ladders, construction – (29 CFR 1926.1053)
- Hazard Communication, general industry – (29 CFR 1910.1200)
- Scaffolding, construction – (29 CFR 1926.451)
- Fall Protection Training, construction – (29 CFR 1926.503)
- Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout), general industry – (29 CFR 1910.147)
- Eye and Face Protection, construction – (29 CFR 1926.102)
- Powered Industrial Trucks, general industry – (29 CFR 1910.178)
- Machinery and Machine Guarding, general industry – (29 CFR 1910.212)
As you can see, the construction industry is a significant source of concern for OSHA in the United States due to the high amount of infractions.
The Center for Construction Research and Training – CPWR – provides some fascinating insights into injuries within the construction industry. According to a Data Bulletin published in February of 2021, the construction industry is still “one of the most dangerous industries in the United States.”
The bulletin details the highest risk of fatality in construction among the middle-aged (45-64). That means it’s the group of workers with experience and likely some bad habits of assuming over-confidence with safety within their work environment.
Tell your team members the above fact if they complain about safety meetings.
What does the age group fatality data tell us? It tells us that refresher training is vital in preserving safety for team members. However, we must also refrain from singling out an age group because the rate of injuries and fatalities to young and inexperienced workers isn’t far behind.
Building Construction Types
There are five recognized types of building construction, according to the New England Institute of Technology:
- Type I Construction: Fire Resistive
- Type II Construction: Non-Combustible
- Type III Construction: Ordinary
- Type IV Construction: Heavy Timber
- Type V Construction: Wood-Frame
Buildings are classified in one of several categories, but for most intents and purposes, these can be classified as:
- Residential Building Construction
- Commercial Building Construction
- Industrial Building Construction
Safety Topics and Categories for Building Construction
We’ve identified some of the following risks associated with building construction:
- Falls to a lower level
- Safe Ladder Use
- Struck by equipment or materials
- Electrocution
- Caught in/between
- Hazard Identification
- Hand tool and power tools use
- LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out)
- Hazard and Risk Reporting
Infrastructure Construction Safety
Infrastructure construction defines the category of construction that includes non-human occupancy building projects such as roads, bridges, sewers, airports, and similar facilities. However, some of this construction also blends with the building construction, and many share similar characteristics in terms of materials and methods used.
Safety Topics and Categories for Infrastructure Construction
In an industry where, according to the CPWR, 75% of fatal falls occur involving roofs, ladders, and scaffolding, we must recognize the importance of training for working at heights conditions.
Here are some recommended topics based on accident data:
- Preventing Falls To Lower Levels
- Safe Scaffolding Use
- Scaffold Inspection
- Preventing Vehicle Strikes To Pedestrians
- Preventing Materials From Falling
- Electrocution Hazard Recognition
- Mitigating Caught In/Between, Crushing Hazards
- Performing Remote Worksite Risk Assessments
- Hazard and Risk Reporting and Communication
- Vehicle Use – Backing Procedures
Calendar Breakdown and Seasonal Considerations
Understanding that seasonal changes affect worker conditions is critical when managing construction teams. Depending on the climate where you live, seasonal conditions may severely impact how your teams operate and the efficiency of their operations.
Utilizing technology to help schedule your calendar year of events is a great idea. However, you could also merely post your calendar within a team environment on a tool that speeds up other aspects of their work. I’m talking about using something like 1st Reporting to document all your safety inspections via its easy-to-use mobile app. That way, you could display a calendar of construction safety meeting topics within the team-accessible dashboard.
Let’s take a look at extreme seasonal changes and some of the safety-topic considerations.
Cold Climate Changes
In many parts of the world, winter is synonymous with cold weather. Safety topics you will want to include in your program if you have cold climate conditions include:
- Recognizing and Preventing Frost Bite
- Recognizing and Preventing Hypothermia
- Icy Walking Surfaces and Slipping Hazards
- Driving Equipment In Winter Conditions
Hot Climate Changes
Hot weather is constantly an issue in some regions of the world, like the southern part of California or New Mexico. Although these regions may experience cooler winters, the summer can seem to scorch the very ground around you.
Some of the safety topics to include in your construction calendar of safety meeting topics are:
- Recognizing and Preventing Sunburn and Sunstroke
- Recognizing and Preventing Hyperthermia
- The Importance of Drinking Water
Wet Conditions
Unless you live in a desert, you likely face rain on several occasions throughout the year. Operating construction equipment in the rain is a dangerous undertaking. Even in the best of conditions, the rain will still make some items slick and add weight to nearly anything, changing the physical dynamics of the materials.
Here are some safety topics you’ll want to include in your program for the wet months of the year or if your teams work in wet conditions.
- Staying Dry At Work
- Working In Slippery Conditions
The Ultimate 52 Construction Safety Meeting Topics Suggestions
We’ve compiled a general list of safety meeting topics for an entire calendar year for a construction company.
The following list will use the assumptions of a cold winter, hot summer, and wet and windy spring and fall. Adjust the suggested topics to suit your climate, but this should work for the majority of businesses in the construction industry.
Winter – Cold, Snow, Ice
- Winter Equipment Operation Safety
- Recognizing Frostbite
- Preventing Slips In Icy Conditions
- Understanding PPE For Construction
- Cold Stress Management
- Working At Heights And Preventing Falls
- Heavy Equipment Operation Hazards
- Crush Hazard Identification
- Vehicle and Equipment Backing Safety
- Signals and Communications
- Hazard and Risk Recognition
- Recognizing and Preventing Hypothermia
- Tool Use and Safety
Spring – Cool, Wet, Windy
- Safety In Wet Conditions
- Electrocution Hazards
- Safety With Concrete, Cement, and Mortars
- PPE For Working Above Six Feet
- Working as a Team and Reporting Hazards
- Working With Tools In The Rain
- When Is It Too Windy To Work Safe?
- Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Recognizing Pinch Hazards
- Safety and Hoisting Loads In Windy Conditions
- Hoisting Materials Safely
- Proper PPE Use In Wet Weather
- Welding and Hot Work Safety
Summer – Hot, Wet, Dry
- Recognizing and Preventing Sunstroke
- Spotter Safety
- Communications and Signals
- The Importance of Drinking Water
- Preventing Falls At Work
- Staying Safe From Strikes (Struck-By-Object Prevention)
- Burn Hazards at Work
- Hurricane, Tornado, Or Weather Event Safety
- Fatal Construction Hazards To Avoid
- Safety Around Vehicles and Equipment
- Preventing Sunburn and Over-Exposure
- Best Construction Site Practices For Safety
- Heavy Equipment Operation Safety
Fall – Cool, Wet, Windy
- Keeping Up To Date On Safety
- Exhaust and Fumes Safety At Work
- Distracted Driving and Work With Technology
- Preventing Falls and Working At Heights
- Hand and Heavy Tools At Work
- Safely Working With Vehicles and Equipment
- Proactive and Reactive Safety At Work
- Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
- Injury Prevention and First Aid
- Construction Site Housekeeping For Safety
- The Dangers of Falling Objects
- Scaffolding Safety and Inspection
- Complacency and Safety At Work
There are a few things to remember about the above list of suggested topics. The safety topics that the data tells us are of the most significant concern are repeated. We believe that some topics should be covered a few times throughout the year to provide maximum coverage to your team. So, you’ll find a few repeated items throughout the year, such as safety topics like working at heights and fall hazards coming in more than one of the four seasons.
If you don’t have a particular seasonal climate issue, remove that item from the list and add a supportive topic for your business. Remember that this list of topics is intended to supplement your existing safety regimen, not replace it.
Why Support Weekly Safety Meetings
By this point, you should recognize the importance of safety at any construction site. People’s lives are literally at stake.
If we are to look at safety from a more uncaring perspective, we still must recognize the inevitable costs of injuries and accidents at work. According to the NSC, in 2020, workplace injuries will cost approximately $163.9 billion. Those are many reasons to avoid injuries at work, I mean, if we’re not looking at the obvious human tragic cost here.
Major incidents can slow or even stop construction in its tracks. Death at a construction site can cause weeks of delays for investigations and even result in possible criminal charges if management is found negligent.
There’s just no reason to try to justify anything less than a top priority where safety is concerned.
Tools For Reporting Meetings, Incidents, and More
Providing your team with ongoing training via a weekly safety meeting is an excellent first step towards a safer construction environment. However, available tools can accelerate construction site safety while improving team efficiency and overall performance.
The 1st Reporting App is such a tool as this.
We developed our mobile application to help construction managers manage and maintain safe operations while making it easy for team members to complete vital tasks.
Features and Benefits To Your Organization
A few of the features and benefits you’re going to love and explore in a free trial are:
The app is mobile. – Your teams can use the app on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac devices, basically everything.
The app supports Teams® integration – If you use Teams® in your office, you can integrate 1st with it to receive your custom notifications without leaving your Teams® dashboard.
Custom Notifications – Adjust notifications for specific inspections or reports to automatically notify particular people upon completion in real-time.
GPS and Report Geo-Location Management – Manage your team’s reports by location in the management dashboard with multiple map view options. The built-in GPS report location management lets you see all your remote construction sites on the map.
Dynamic Custom Workflows – Create custom and seamless workflows using dynamic form options that change the forms based on your team’s input. Use them to help team members ensure the proper steps are taken in whatever situation you care to create a workflow using forms, checklists, and our custom form builder.
These are just a few examples of some of the many things you can do with 1st Reporting. Try it today and find out what other construction firms love about this complete reporting experience.
