Safety

Falls continue to be the leading cause of death in the construction industry.

Every year, AWCI honors some of the top projects in the wall and ceiling industry with the Excellence in Construction Quality Awards.

I recently visited a jobsite—a 20-story tower where prefabricated exterior panels were being lifted into place by crane.

When I was asked to write this article, I hesitated. It’s a natural reaction, I suppose, to feel discomfort when facing introspection.

“Safety isn’t Monday morning—it’s the moment.”

Creating a construction emergency plan involves thorough risk assessment, clear communication, regular training and coordination with local emergency services.

Safety lessons were learned when members of the AWCI Safety and Health Committee and other volunteer safety and health professionals conducted two reviews of the safety programs and cultures at two AWCI member contracting companies

Zero-tolerance safety policies in construction are often implemented with the goal of reducing risks, but these policies can have unintended consequences.