Construction is an excellent industry for many reasons, one of them being that it is highly unlikely for a company to run out of work.
As society progresses, we continue to strive for higher levels of luxury and comfort. As such, building structures, from office buildings to residential homes of every type, meeting those needs will always be a booming business.
However, construction does not come without its disadvantages. It requires a lot of experience and expertise to run a construction company properly.
In addition to the existing challenges of any business, there are those unique to construction that should be considered.
Here are some of the common challenges present in the construction industry.
Working at Height
Skyscrapers are impressive structures, reaching towards the sky in defiance of the constraints of gravity.
When it comes to building these giants, however, problems start to arise. Even when buildings are closer to the ground, there are risks associated with working on them.
Also, the usage of ladders does not come without risk. That said, these risk factors only increase in severity as construction workers build taller buildings.
The Traffic of Heavy Vehicles
Vehicles, especially those of the heavy variety, are continually coming and going in a construction zone.
This is not something that can be cut down or prevented, as they all have their roles to play to keep everything running on schedule.
However, this form of vehicular traffic poses risks to those working onsite as well as to the surrounding area.
As such, great care must be taken, and careful coordination arranged to minimize the risk of accidents occurring.
Health and Safety Hazards
The conditions of construction sites are naturally hazardous. From holes in the ground to various materials laid about, anything can risk the health and safety of all employees.
That said, there must be strict guidelines and standard operating procedures for every construction site.
Employees must have the appropriate safety equipment to prevent such events as slips, falls, or trips.
The cost of injured workers, for example, cannot be offset by the cost of replacing worn-out boot treads.
Heavy Machinery
The kind of heavy machinery required for construction work comes at a price. Not only the cost of the machinery itself but also the wages of those who must handle them.
It is crucial to employ workers who are appropriately qualified to handle such tools. Even with simple tasks such as moving and lifting, care must be taken so that everyone knows the safest ways to use them.
As it is, back injuries account for 15% of the industry’s injuries, according to the 2015 Safe Work Australia report.
Noise
When you think of construction, your mind will quickly conjure up the memory of loud and disruptive noise.
This can be a health hazard, especially when workers are exposed to this repetitive noise for long hours.
Besides, excessive noise can serve as distractions to construction workers, making them more prone to making mistakes.
Thus, preventative measures should be taken to safeguard the health of the workers and the continuity of the project.
The Logistics of Trash
Proper thought and care should be afforded to the handling of trash on construction sites. Besides being potential sources of pollution, the presence of debris on site is not only physical barriers that take up valuable space, but can also be dangerous to everyone in the vicinity.
With multi-story buildings, primarily, the logistics of using traditional construction rubbish chutes should first be worked out.
Unnecessary Man Hours
Another pitfall of the construction industry has to do with timelines and scheduling. It is remarkably easy for things to go wrong when so much is going on.
Whether delays occur because of an accumulation of trash or merely bad luck, more man-hours are required to keep things moving on schedule.
One way to limit this is by using shotcrete, as it can be applied quickly and has a rapid setting time.