Safety isn’t a checklist or simply throwing on a hard hat and going about your day. It is a promise that every worker gets to go home and see their families at the end of the day. Before the early 20th century, fatalities on-site were viewed as a price society was willing to pay for the sake of progress.

OSHA has provided guidelines for companies to follow, complete inspections, and host training sessions to help all companies in the sector prioritize the protection of their employees. When developing your safety procedures, ensure that you follow OSHA’s guidelines to remain compliant with their standards. Recently, some ECI team members attended an on-site visit by one of our valued clients. As visitors, we had the privilege of experiencing safety training first-hand and saw many benefits, although it is not an industry standard. The training session was a classroom-style presentation that covered all the necessary information. This was our first time participating in a safety info session as visitors, but we admired their proactive approach to maintaining a safe workplace. Learn more about the potential hazards you may encounter on-site and how to mitigate them.

Common hazards that pose a threat:

· Falls from Heights

· Electrocution

· Equipment/materials Injuries

· Hazardous Materials

· Environmental Exposures

· Ergonomic Damage

· In trenching, Collapses

· Hearing Loss

· Accidental Slips or falls on ground level

To prevent these occurrences, consistently host training sessions that detail the proper use of PPE, equipment, and materials. During these training courses, you should cover any emergency response procedures. In addition to meetings, consider a chat channel or an anonymous box where people can report safety risks. Ensure you have clear and concise signage around the site to communicate safety risks. Investing in technology can also be a game-changer for safety on-site. Wearable technology can often detect hazards, while drones execute a site inspection before the project kicks off.

Most importantly, GPS machine control supports the maintenance of a safe workspace in construction. As the machine is programmed to follow the precise alignments and grades, it reduces rework and human error, decreasing the possibility of obstructions or instabilities that could cause accidents. The use of GPS requires fewer workers on the ground at the site, which minimizes accidents. GPS enables work to be carried out safely at night or during poor weather conditions, as it does not rely on human visibility cues for guidance. Automated blade and bucket positioning reduces fatigue, preventing mistakes. The real-time feedback provided inside the cab allows operators to make safer decisions driven by data. This feedback includes spatial awareness that prevents machines from digging too close to existing underground infrastructure and utilities, unstable slopes, or other areas at risk. In trenching, it maintains accurate benching and shoring limits. This is essential to reduce the risk of cave-ins or collapses. Excavators with GPS machine control installed are capable of completing the task, excluding the need for a person to be inside the trench. This is a huge advancement in sitework safety, especially when working in unsafe areas. Heavy equipment manufacturers like John Deere, CAT, Komatsu, etc., have also released new equipment like loaders and dozers that have 360-degree cameras, automatic emergency brake systems, and proximity sensors built in.

Aside from fatalities and injuries, other implications exist if safety prevention is neglected on-site.

Additional financial costs for rework or project overruns.
Legal Consequences
Damaged reputation
Detrimental impact on mental health and employee morale
Lower productivity

If you have any questions about how GPS-enabled equipment improves safety, do not hesitate to reach out to us at 877-572-3414 or email info@eci3d.com!