Written by Matt Taylor, CHST, SMS

Prefabrication provides many benefits to a project, with one of the major, yet sometimes overlooked benefits, being project safety. With prefabrication, there is a dramatic reduction in

• Fall hazard exposure
• Wall panel fall hazard exposure
• Structural steel fall hazard exposure
• Roof decking fall hazard exposure

Prefabrication being done in a controlled environment allows us to maintain safer working conditions. Typically dangerous variables such as weather conditions are non-existent within a prefab shop. Larger scale, industrial machinery that is bolted to the ground makes major tasks easier avoiding portable items that could cause an error.

Once on-site, the potential for hazards is also less with fewer materials needed within each area, and less time spent in one particular part of a project. Less project waste means a more organized workspace with reduced labor congestion.

Even with all these major benefits, it is critical to be mindful of OCP’s safety standards with prefabrication. These include:

• Typical personal protective equipment: hardhats, safety glasses, safety vest, safety boots, and work gloves.
• Long sleeve shirts
• Certification for each piece of machinery utilized.

All accidents are preventable, and every opportunity to improve site safety is welcomed. Have a safety suggestion? We want your ideas. Send it to us at https://ocpcoc.com/employees.