Even in schools, it has been noticed that communication through various devices does not always produce the desired result. Even in the construction industry, it's worth bringing the issue to the table, as we have ready-made methods to bring people together in a timely manner to discuss, ask questions and views, solve problems together and evaluate the next steps.
In various parts of Finland this autumn, the school world has been talking about moving students' phones to a bag or a phone park during lessons. The first experiences have been comforting - the world didn't collapse and the youth didn't go into open rebellion against their parents and teachers. It is likely that the focus on teaching will also improve, as long as the withdrawal symptoms from the "device in hand - addiction" level off a bit.
As a result of restricting the use of the phone, students' face-to-face conversations may also recover somewhat, nowadays when young people's conversations take place through various messaging applications, even if they are in the same space, even next to each other. Would it also be worthwhile for us adults to think about our own relationship to conversation and chatter at the same time, or do we also need some authority to say let's try it?
Various forms of cooperative projects have been common in construction for a long time. It is not essential whether it is a cooperative PJU, an alliance or some other application, but in all of these, the person who chooses the project form, i.e. the customer, seeks increasing participation and the utilization of the expertise of different people.
Findings from projects and also analyzes of not-so-good projects underline the importance of conversation and interaction between people as one very important factor.
Findings from projects and also from analyzes of not-so-good projects underline the importance of conversation and interaction between people as one very important factor. Different ways of working with big rooms, workshops and other means aim to bring people together in a timely manner and discuss, ask questions and views, solve problems together and evaluate the next steps. So no rocket science…?
The safety of construction sites is largely a similar theme. In practice, safe solutions can be found for all risky jobs and work phases, when people think about them in advance in time. It is also essential that the solutions are communicated openly to everyone and the parties – from the person setting up the project to the last installer of patio stones, to make them aware of the agreed upon methods and then adhere to them. During the project, there will of course be different variables, in which case a new assessment and solutions are needed, sometimes very quickly, for example due to a change in the weather. And after that, you have to remember to communicate the matter between the different parties.
The comforting thing about security is that you don't very often have to invent anything new, but you can almost always use tried and tested ways that everyone knows. As long as we remember that stumbling block – communication and interaction between people.
The safety culture of construction sites is a key part of the success of projects and the well-being of employees. The key to developing a safety culture is open interaction, which promotes information sharing, trust, and a sense of togetherness. Open interaction means the kind of communication of a work community or project community, where information flows freely and unhindered at all levels of the organization. An open communication culture (read "safety culture") encourages employees to express their concerns, share their observations and actively participate in the development of safety practices. But how do you create an open interaction culture at Luja – how do a group of people who don't know each other coming to a project transform into a team? This is well described by the following comment:
A new job begins, and the creators arrive. Each arriving factor is an iron professional in his field, who understands what things need to happen and in what order. The racks must be inspected, the up-to-date plans taken to the project bank and a suitable time window left for the installation - and the most important thing, that is, it must be kept free of obstacles to work. On a joint construction site, the success of an individual's work is more important than the success of the entire team.
A single safety observation leads to the detection of the issue and even a quick correction of the issue, but not sharing it does not lead to discussion and thus to wider learning. Here at Lujatalo, safety observations are shared daily in the project on info screens at the construction sites and their social facilities, at safety guards and at other meetings. In addition, we regularly reward the authors of safety findings. Safety observation tells a lot about the interaction culture of the construction site: is it understood that safety observations are observations made by the employees themselves about the hazards and risks in the work environment.
Near-miss situations are well-known situations where there was a risk of a serious accident or accident, but it was still managed to be avoided. From time to time, the discussion turns to the difference between safety perception and near-miss situations - should this limit be defined somehow. At worst, a sharp separation leads to a more thorough analysis not being done and a lesson not being learned. That's why it's not worth spending a lot of time on that separation, but focus on sharing your observations with others.
It is preferable to talk more than less in these situations as well. And we specifically talk and discuss - and not just rely on those devices and systems.
RT's safety group ended up challenging people working in management positions in the construction industry to share their own vision and experience about why safety must be managed, by what means, and what good it brings. Through the challenge, we want to send a message to the entire construction industry that good management plays a decisive role in promoting occupational safety and well-being.
Mikko Hollmén, business manager of Lujatalo, took up the challenge in fifth place.
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