Every construction contract awarded by the federal government requires the creation and use of an Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) for each and every step or Definable Feature of Work (DFOW) of the project. The creation of each AHA requires a substantial amount of both experience and research to correctly complete. For those in the industry, it’s honestly a daunting task for even the most seasoned safety professionals.
The construction industry is a powerhouse, adding more than $900 billion to the US economy in the first quarter of 2020, then disaster struck. COVID-19 caused a massive slowdown claiming almost a million jobs and over $60 billion of revenue. Obviously, companies exposed to COVID-19 affected segments were hit harder, but that wasn’t the only determination of weathering the storm. Companies that could react to the changing realities on the ground through capitalizing on advancements in technology to meet the needs of a diminished workforce and lower overhead costs seem to fair much better. While this wasn’t the only factor, there are significant trends occurring in the industry and much room for optimism.
As construction managers enter the new year, it’s more important than ever that they understand the changing landscape of our industry in order to keep their construction business moving forward.
Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 320 of the 1,008 construction fatalities in 2018 were caused by falls from elevation. All of these deaths are preventable.
An Accident Prevention Plan (APP) is essential to all construction projects, outlining how all aspects of your company’s safety program will be successfully administered on the project while adhering to regulatory requirements and the contract requirements.