Without the right tools and supplies, tasks might take longer to start and finish. If individuals are injured, tasks are not able to be completed and work can grind to a frustrating stop.
To help make your site more efficient, Signet has compiled a list of some common "pain points" and solutions to get back on track.
Pain point 1 - Suddenly running out of supplies
Having no line marking paint or spot marking spray to correctly mark lines with, or no adhesive to secure cornices or tiles to walls with, can create unnecessary time delays. Keeping track of those essential supplies is vital.
Signet's Solution: Create an auditing system to effectively maintain stock levels, identify items that are running low, or if a particular item will be required in the near future. A simple excel document, which is regularly reviewed, with an item and quantity column is a good starting point. It could also reduce ad hoc courier costs, as an items stock level would be identified as low before completely running out. Whether weekly, fortnightly, or monthly—make sure it is suitable to your site and needs.
Pain point 2 - Trying to find a hammer in a construction site haystack
While some workers have their own set of tools, there may be times when communal equipment is required. When a site gets busy, it is easy for tools to be left in different spots after use. There could also be an array of tools and equipment on the site at once, and finding a specific item could be like finding a needle in a haystack. Hazards are also a significant risk on construction sites, and tools being left out or not in a designated area is an easy way for unnecessary risks to appear.
Signet's Solution: For any communal equipment, create a storage area that is easily accessible to all workers and keeps equipment secure overnight. Whether a demountable type building or shed is the answer, ensure all equipment is returned and accounted for. This may be as easy as creating an A4 sheet that has the items listed and various columns to mark the date it was taken out, the date it was returned, and who used it. This may also help reduce costs from items going astray.
Paint point 3 - Scratches, cuts, abrasions, or worse…
Accidents can and do happen across many Australian construction sites. This is where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety signs are essential.
Signet's Solution: Safety equipment is not a once off purchase. "Wear and tear" is common, and if PPE is not checked on a regular basis, the effects can be disastrous. Common PPE to regularly check (even as part of your above audit) could include safety glasses, safety vests, and safety boots.
Similarly, safety signs require updating as fading or scratching from external weather elements can reduce the message or icons visibility. Incorrect or missing safety equipment can also incur large costs from organisations such as Work Safe. Use our Signs Assessment Checklist to get your signs up to date.
Click here to download the checklist
Regularly scanning the site for risks and potential hazards is another key aspect of safety. "Take5" is an easy way to identify hazards, begin taking actions to remove them from an area, and create permanent steps to stop the hazards from returning.
With the implementation of these simple steps, your site will be on the road to becoming a well-oiled, productive machine.
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