We’ve all heard that with great power comes great responsibility, but it’s especially true with the power equipment and tools used on school construction sites. Student safety becomes a big deal as School Districts continue to make updates and renovate their existing/occupied buildings. It’s a big deal also due to the increase of “strangers” who enter the school grounds to work on a construction project. This is demonstrated by the increasing efforts of schools to qualify visitors before they’re allowed to enter school buildings.
Construction is considered one of the most challenging professions in the world. With the equipment, variety of activities, and falling/tripping factors, it’s easy to see why construction is heavily regulated to keep workers and site visitors safe. When we work on an occupied building, it’s safe to say that safety becomes a broader concern. By following MIOSHA regulations and having safety plans, manuals, meetings and policies (as we do for every project), a construction site becomes very predictable and safe for anyone who may step onto it, including school kids. On all projects, our Field Managers take great care to see that safety measures are met and at the end of the day sites are left in a manner that prohibits curious people from entering it or possibly hurting themselves. Additionally, our Field Managers are required to maintain CPR and first aid certifications and Wolgast upholds zero tolerance for any substance abuse, which is supported by pre-employment and random drug testing for all employees.
Safety concerns don’t end with construction related activities. We tend to the security of students in the building, too by using ID badges. Badges are only issued to those individuals authorized to be on the job site. We use these badges to help ensure that only people with a legitimate, project related purpose are granted access to the job site.
Admittedly, Wolgast has selfish reasons to be safe. First and foremost, we appreciate having our co-workers and friends report to work healthy and happy every morning. Secondarily, an excellent safety record and reputation helps us obtain future work and keeps insurance rates down. We take it very seriously because safety never hurts!
We offer more information about how to avoid risky business during your construction project in the white paper Risk Management the Wolgast Way.
Also read: How Technology Updates Change Schools and Four Steps for School Boards to Plan a Construction Project
