How many steps do you take during a workday? Construction workers typically take 10 and even 000 steps a day, and especially on large construction sites, the number of steps is very high. So it's no wonder that most accidents on construction sites occur while moving.
Every accident is preventable. This is revealed when we delve into the root causes of accidents.
The zero-accident mindset was introduced into Finnish working life at the turn of the millennium. It inevitably involves a certain humility, as preventing all accidents is not easy. When accidents are studied, there are factors related to safety technology, workplace organization, and even people, all of which can be influenced.
Humans are unstable movers. We walk on two legs, we stumble easily, and our perceptive gaze and center of gravity are high. We instinctively conserve energy, take shortcuts without hesitation, and raise our feet only half a centimeter when walking. Our ability to concentrate is also easily distracted.
For example, accidents like this have occurred while moving around construction sites:
- A crane operator dislocated his knee when he tripped over plastic trapped under freshly fallen snow.
- An employee tripped over a plank on the walkway and fell, causing a hand injury.
- An employee fell while walking down a dark staircase, resulting in a back injury and long-term sick leave.
Attention to all three aspects of occupational safety
The degree of completion of a building describes how close you are to handing over the order and a satisfied customer. However, the installed material squares, cubes and tons will not fall into place without a specialist on site at the right time. That is why a careful contractor, like many industrial clients, builds separate, demarcated pedestrian paths on the construction site.
Safety technology are also, for example, safety shoes of the appropriate size, with friction pads or studs on the soles in winter.
Human function It is then up to you to ensure that your shoes are the right size, condition and tightness, and to be careful when choosing and using the paths. In addition, it is everyone's responsibility to ensure the following:
- Move around the construction site only at a normal walking pace.
- Stop if you are using a mobile device
- Focus your gaze about three meters ahead on the walkway, don't let distractions distract you.
- Hold on to the railing on the stairs – or at least make sure you are ready to grab the railing if you falter.
- Do not carry materials in your hands when using a ladder.
The third area of security is construction site organizing, which creates common workplace safety practices. Spatial planning separates people from vehicle traffic, logistics solutions reduce the placement of excess material on the site, work planning and orientation promote order, and waste management practices and inspection rounds maintain the cleanliness and maintenance of access routes:
- Hoses, wires and materials are collected immediately after use.
- General lighting on walkways is maintained in good condition.
- Deficiencies are reported immediately and responded to promptly
- Excellent performance is recognized and others are also inspired.
Preventing all accidents is not easy – but we still need to act
In the zero-accident mindset, it is important that no accident is acceptable.
We may never reach zero, because humans are fickle. Yet we can continually reduce the risks of movement by working actively, learning from accidents that have occurred, and striving to influence technology, organization, and human factors. In addition to striving for zero, it is at least as important to continually reduce the severity of accidents.
The steps taken, both small and large, take us forward on the journey towards zero accidents.
Antti Leino
Chairman of the security group of Construction Industry RT
Skanska HSE Director
PS You can and should practice your balance by standing on one leg. How long can you stand on one leg? Challenge your colleagues too!
The article was published on Skanska's blog on May 6.5.2025, 12. The construction industry is celebrating a joint safety week for the entire industry from May 16.5.2025 to XNUMX, XNUMX.
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