Construction is an essential but dangerous industry. Fatal accidents are all too common, so building firms must take all necessary measures to ensure safer workflows.

While the need for safety may seem obvious, many businesses rush through critical protective measures amid rising demands for efficiency. Injuries will result in higher costs and delays, so this trend is counterproductive. For both productivity and the workforce’s sake, construction must address its fatality problem.

The state of construction fatalities today

In 2023, the industry in Australia experienced 45 work-related fatalities, accounting for 23% of all such events across all sectors. This makes it the second most dangerous line of work in terms of the overall number of deaths and third in terms of fatalities per 100,000 workers.

Worryingly, construction saw a 36% increase in worker deaths compared to its average over the past five years. While an uptick in building projects could account for some of the rise, any increase is a move in the wrong direction.

However, there have been improvements. Across all industries, work-related fatal injury rates have fallen by 19% since 2013. Still, the goal for every organisation should be zero deaths each year, so change is still necessary.

How construction can reduce fatal accidents

In some ways construction work is inherently dangerous, although this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to reduce fatal injuries. Here are five essential steps to follow to create a safer future.

Focus on the biggest hazards

Most construction deaths result from a few select hazards. Consequently, focusing on these common risks can significantly improve workplace safety. Falls from heights are the biggest threat, accounting for 38% of all worksite fatalities, followed by falling objects, vehicle incidents, run-ins with moving objects and electrical hazards.

Given the prominence of fatal falls and falling objects, fall-arrest systems and netting below employees working at heights are key investments for any firm. Vehicle safety protocols, worksite visibility improvements to help see incoming machinery and stricter lockout-tagout procedures will likewise help.

Emphasise thorough training

Human error is responsible for many accidents, so training is also central to fatality prevention. Emphasising the importance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and checking equipment before using them are two critical factors to address. You should also enforce such policies, penalising employees for not following company safety requirements.

One common misstep is to train workers upon onboarding but never again. This can lead to forgetfulness and complacency, so be sure to review safety measures regularly, at least once or twice per project.

Maintain equipment

Heavy machinery incidents are another common cause of fatal accidents. You can make these less likely by ensuring all equipment remains in top condition. A good first step is to include in-depth checks both before and after use, requiring employees to sign off on these inspections to add a layer of responsibility.

Predictive maintenance is ideal where budgets allow. This practice uses real-time sensors to alert workers of the need to repair equipment before issues are outwardly evident. As a result, it can virtually eliminate breakdowns in some contexts, preventing larger problems that could endanger employees. When this isn’t an option, regular scheduled preventive care is a good alternative.

Standardise everything

Standardisation is another easy-to-miss strategy to minimise construction fatalities. Leaving workflow policies open to interpretation leaves too much room for errors and oversights that may lead to dangerous accidents.

Create specific and detailed steps for workers to follow for things like inspecting machinery, testing safety mechanisms, ensuring PPE is up to code and locking out electrical equipment after use. Consider giving employees physical checklists to make it harder to miss anything. When everything is standardised, it’ll be easier for everyone to comply with safety procedures.

Don’t neglect mental health

Finally, firms must realise that physical health is only part of the equation. Sadly, construction workers are eight times more likely to die by suicide than a workplace accident. As many as 190 Australians in the industry take their own lives every year, so the sector must do better to care for the workforce’s mental health.

Construction professionals often find it difficult to talk about their mental health. As a leader, you should take the initiative and explain how common these problems are and encourage people to speak up about how they feel. Providing resources to connect workers to mental health programmes and peer support networks is also crucial.

A safer tomorrow begins today

Following these five steps today can help you forge a path to a safer workplace tomorrow. Creating a fatality-free industry may seem challenging, but it’s possible if firms can recognise the underlying issues and act against them.