Increasing occupational safety awareness in the construction industry has been included in our TOP10 goals by the RT board and is a very central and concrete part of implementing the competent and responsible construction industry strategy theme.
There is no responsibility without safety. The words describe well the safety work currently being done in companies and RT.
Safety awareness is increased through information collected from members, by participating in various research projects, or, for example, by organizing events and themed activities.
Raising awareness also includes promoting good contractor management procedures, which are central and vital to the industry, and advancing themes selected by the safety group operating at RT and consisting of company representatives.
One example of the measures taken was the industry-wide safety STOP! event held at the end of April, which included a moment of silence in memory of those who died in work accidents and stopping everyone to reflect on this serious issue. Over 800 connections were opened for the event in Teams, and behind many screens, there were certainly as many more participants.
Enabling a safe working environment
Last year, the industry's joint responsibility program published by RT identified the essential responsibility themes for the construction industry. One of the five themes is a diverse and well-being workforce.
In recent years, occupational well-being and the health effects of work have been prominently included in occupational safety in the construction industry, alongside traditional risk and accident prevention. Personnel well-being and psychological safety at work are part of a responsible corporate culture.
A psychologically safe work environment enables open interaction and a respectful work atmosphere that promotes productivity.
Construction management safety tours are a good practical example of a tool that can be used to promote psychological safety. Companies have found that having top management visible on the construction site works and produces results in both directions.
The primary purpose of a management safety tour or walk is not to conduct a technical inspection of the construction site, but to observe the activities of people working on the site and have a discussion about safety, thereby contributing to creating and increasing a culture of open discussion. It is motivating to be able to share your observations directly with the company's top management.
Management safety tours or walks, however you want to call them, are not just a procedure suitable for the main contractor, but are suitable for companies of all sizes throughout the construction chain. The RT board recommends management safety tours to all companies, and it is hoped that SMEs will also incorporate them into their own good occupational safety practices.
Zero target completely realistic
The goals of safe working and the creation of a safety culture always start with company management, which sets goals and metrics for occupational safety as part of the company's business processes. Just like when managing financial performance, quality, or customer satisfaction.
The management's own behavior serves as a good model of the kind of responsibility that is observed in the company. RT's website has compiled good safety practices for management, and there is also an easy self-assessment tool for good management themes. The application of these good safety practices has already yielded good results in many demanding construction projects.
The construction industry's goal of zero accidents is completely realistic, and companies already have all the information and tools they need to achieve it. There are already many completely accident-free construction sites, and the TR measurement results from the construction industry's own occupational safety competitions, which show the working conditions of the best construction sites, are impressive. But much still needs to be done to achieve the goal across the entire industry.
A responsible corporate culture takes occupational health and well-being into account extensively. In addition to preventing accidents, all kinds of harassment, discrimination and bullying are addressed proactively and at a low threshold, and attention is paid to coping at work and work ergonomics.
No one should have to change jobs just because they have been harassed. No one should have to look for a new job as a result of excessive physical strain that could have been prevented. No one should be the victim of an accident at work or experience firsthand how a normal working day suddenly turns into a nightmare, shattering the future of an employee and weighing on the minds of others.
A responsible company always chooses safety. A safe and caring operating culture is also productive and efficient. It motivates and encourages employees, so that attitudes and values towards safe working gradually change for the better. And then we can all return home at the end of every single working day with a safe mind, healthy and well-being.
Aleksi Randell
CEO
aleksi.randell@rt.fi + 358 9 129 9201Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries (CFCI)
Assistant: Lotta Räty
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