The construction industry is prone to hazards and safety risks. Using technological innovation, construction sites and labor-intensive projects can be regulated to ensure the health and safety of employees and personnel. Site managers can consider installing cameras for surveillance purposes to help with OSHA compliance. Let’s find out how security cameras can provide the protection you need for your premises and work environment.
How Can Cameras Help Maintain OSHA Regulations?
Occupational Safety Hazards and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations help to keep your workplace safe for employees. Maintaining a safe working environment by adhering to OSHA regulations keeps your employees motivated and gives them a sense of security. OSHA regulations were introduced in 1970 after a public outcry on the lack of employees’ safety. Prior to this act, many deaths at workplaces would go unnoticed and companies would brush it aside.
Adding cameras to construction sites has several bonuses. Not only can they help regulate operations proceeding at the construction site, but they can also help in the better implementation of occupational safety. Accidents on construction sites can be fatal and often end up with lawsuits and hefty non-compliance fees as well. Having said that, accidents within such industries are inevitable. Here are some ways through which cameras can help regulate safety and security within the construction industry.
Efficient Investigation of Incidents or Potential Risks
Installing a camera helps navigate and keep tabs on proceedings and employee behavior. You can assess and monitor your workers to ensure whether or not they are adhering to safety policies and regulations. You can also identify and address problems on spot. Cameras can help identify workers who are disrupting the implementation of regulations. In the past, contractors and sub-contractors would have to physically be present at construction sites for monitoring. Now they can easily monitor their sites remotely through cameras. This saves both time and energy spent by contractors and managers.
Better Accountability
A camera can help you detect whether or not the person in charge was responsible and how they should be held accountable. This will help in identifying problem cases, which will ultimately improve OSHA regulations at the worksite. Off-site contractors can easily monitor the construction site in real-time. Round-the-clock monitoring enables contractors to keep a check at all times. Surveillance footage helps deliver a clear picture of what happened and how the situation could have been prevented.
Protecting Your Employees
The construction industry accounts for a surprising 21% of fatal work injuries. Further, more than 30% of construction workers suffer from back pains and other muscular problems. In case of any mishap that involves injuries, video evidence can be presented to the concerned authorities in case there is neglect in adhering to OSHA regulations. Fatal injuries can be prevented as the concerned authorities are able to react and respond in time. Workers are more likely to follow precautions when they are being monitored. Today’s cameras even have an automated alert system that can alert the concerned stakeholders in case of any accidents on the construction site. Peace of mind is necessary for employees to work diligently and without the fear of dangerous situations arising. With a well-equipped camera installation, your workforce can rest assured that they are being monitored and therefore protected against any mishaps.
Effective Monitoring and Remote Viewing
Construction sites usually cover large areas and many safety hazards can go unnoticed by contractors and other employees. Cameras on the other hand can provide greater coverage. This widespread monitoring can help quickly identify hazards or threats with a bird’s eye view, especially those which are going against any OSHA regulation. This also helps in checking on resources being used. Fewer staff will be required in certain areas where otherwise many employees would have been placed for quality control and supervision. Construction sites can only have a smooth operation when they are being closely monitored. Equipment damages can be prevented at the onset. It is also of paramount importance to keep a close eye on any faulty wiring, equipment or procedures that may result in fires, fumes or electric shocks.
Minimizing Theft and Vandalism
Despite the advancement in technology, construction equipment is prone to theft. Stolen equipment is hardly ever recovered. Around 36% of loaders are stolen in America. This slows down the construction process, and filing police reports consumes a lot of time. Installing cameras around the construction site will help identify thieves and pinpoint any security breaches as they occur.
Better Documentation and Effective Reinforcement
The constant monitoring and nonstop surveillance gives unquestionable, continuous footage. When information is available from the exact moment the accident happened, it makes documentation easier. Cameras help in obtaining accurate and real-time information, which can be used for assessment as well as reinforcement of the construction process and employee training. This information is crucial for generating regular maintenance and safety reports for optimizing construction workload and ensuring the overall safety of employees.
Reduce Insurance Premiums and Provide Strong Evidence for Claims
Construction work is not easy on the pocket, and any damage to the equipment or injuries to employees can be a huge setback in terms of cost as well as progress. Installing cameras can help with damage control. Properly maintained surveillance helps limit costs on insurance premiums. In the case of an unfortunate incident, CCTV footage can provide strong evidence for your insurance claim.
Using Cameras During A Global Crisis
Ever since the pandemic has enveloped the world, people have moved on with life with a new mode of operations. Installing cameras on the construction site can help limit physical contact between people. Many contractors and subcontractors can monitor and regulate work on the construction site easily from a distance through the use of cameras. This will help carry on activities and tasks despite the restrictions imposed globally by governments to keep limited staff members on site. Installing cameras further ensures that everyone acts responsibly by adhering to protocols while also making sure no minor is on premises or that unsupervised activity is happening on site.
About the Author
Patrick Chown is a Business Security Systems Installation Consultant, Low Voltage Electrical Contractor, and Cannabis Security Plan Writer. He is the owner and President of Safe and Sound Security, a company that specializes in integrating access control, burglar alarms, structured cabling and security cameras for construction sites and new buildings.
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