Safety Steward

Role & responsibilities

1. Promoting Safety Awareness

• Safety Awareness Programs: Organize and lead safety awareness programs to educate workers about hazards, safety measures, and safe work practices specific to the construction site.
• Daily Safety Reminders: Provide daily safety reminders to the workforce, ensuring they are aware of potential risks associated with their tasks (e.g., heavy machinery, falling objects, confined spaces).
• Safety Signage and Notices: Ensure that safety signs, hazard warnings, and emergency evacuation routes are clearly visible throughout the construction site.

2. Conducting Site Inspections

• Regular Site Inspections: Perform routine inspections of the construction site to identify any safety hazards or non-compliance with safety procedures. This includes checking personal protective equipment (PPE), fall protection systems, and machinery.
• Monitor Safety Protocols: Verify that all workers are adhering to safety protocols such as proper usage of PPE, scaffolding safety, electrical safety, and the use of correct tools and machinery.
• Identifying Hazards: Identify potential hazards (e.g., exposed wiring, unsafe scaffolding, unguarded machinery) and report them to site management for corrective action.

3. Assisting in Safety Training

• Assist in Safety Training Sessions: Support and help with organizing safety training programs for workers, including but not limited to training on machinery, fall protection, scaffold safety, work at height, confined space entry, and emergency procedures.
• New Worker Induction: Participate in the induction process for new workers, ensuring they are briefed on site-specific safety protocols, emergency procedures, and any hazards they might face.
• Refresher Courses: Assist in scheduling and organizing regular refresher courses on safety protocols to ensure continuous awareness among workers.

4. Reporting and Documentation

• Incident Reporting: Record and report safety incidents, near misses, and unsafe practices on site. This documentation helps with identifying patterns, analyzing root causes, and implementing corrective actions.
• Accident Investigation Support: Support the safety manager or supervisor during incident investigations by helping to gather information, witness statements, and assisting with identifying root causes of accidents or injuries.
• Maintain Safety Records: Keep track of safety inspections, safety meetings, and worker compliance with safety protocols. Ensure that documentation is organized and readily available for audits and inspections.

5. Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Emergency Response Plans: Ensure workers are familiar with emergency evacuation plans, fire drills, and first aid protocols. Act as a point of contact for safety concerns in emergencies.
• Assist with Drills: Participate in emergency drills, such as fire drills, first aid drills, and evacuation procedures, to ensure all workers know what actions to take in case of an emergency.
• First Aid Support: Be trained in basic first aid and act as a first responder if an incident occurs. Administer first aid if needed until professional medical help arrives.

6. Safety Enforcement and Observation

• Ensure Compliance with PPE: Monitor workers for correct use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as helmets, gloves, harnesses, and eye protection.
• Stop Unsafe Work Practices: Actively observe work practices and ensure that workers are following safety protocols. Intervene and stop unsafe activities when necessary to prevent accidents.
• Enforce Safe Work Practices: Ensure that workers are following safe work practices for all aspects of construction work, including machinery operation, manual handling, hazardous material handling, and electrical safety.

7. Collaboration and Communication

• Coordinate with Safety Management: Work closely with the Safety Officer or Safety Manager to report hazards, incidents, and areas where safety procedures need improvement.
• Collaborate with Workers: Maintain open lines of communication with workers to discuss safety concerns, feedback, and suggestions for improving safety standards on site.
• Liaise with Subcontractors: Ensure that subcontractors are also following the safety protocols of the construction site. Coordinate with them to promote a safety-first culture on the project.

8. Maintaining a Safe Working Environment

• Workplace Cleanliness and Order: Ensure that the site remains clean and free of unnecessary obstructions that could create hazards, such as tools, debris, or equipment.
• Ensure Proper Signage: Make sure all areas of the construction site are properly labeled with hazard warnings and safety signage, especially around high-risk areas like electrical installations, excavation zones, and scaffolding.
• Monitor High-Risk Activities: Pay extra attention to high-risk activities like working at height, welding, excavation work, and the use of heavy equipment. Ensure safety measures are strictly followed during these activities.

9. Promoting a Safety Culture

• Foster Safety Mindset: Help create and maintain a strong safety culture within the workforce, emphasizing that safety is everyones responsibility and encouraging proactive involvement in safety initiatives.
• Encourage Worker Participation: Encourage workers to report unsafe conditions or near misses without fear of reprisal. Make sure they are aware of the process for reporting safety concerns.
• Recognition and Motivation: Recognize safe behaviors and commend workers who demonstrate good safety practices to reinforce a positive safety culture.

10. Regular Safety Meetings and Feedback

• Safety Toolbox Talks: Participate in daily or weekly safety meetings or toolbox talks” to address ongoing safety concerns, discuss incident reports, and review upcoming tasks that may have specific safety risks.
• Provide Feedback to Management: Communicate safety issues, concerns, or suggestions for improvement to management or the safety team. Provide feedback on the effectiveness of safety procedures from a ground-level perspective.