Demonstrating construction worker safety using HR software
The construction sector has made significant progress on health and safety, but there is always more that can be done. Especially when you consider the UK HSE stats which serve to highlight how important it is to keep on top of health and safety training, compliance and reporting to ensure everything that can be done, is being done.
A key element of ensuring ongoing health and safety in construction is making sure that everyone has the right skills and awareness of risk at all times. This all comes back to training and education and although many construction firms have dedicated health and safety managers, HR also continues to have a vital part to play.
HR managers at the forefront of the construction sector are using software to keep track of worker training
Why is software helping with this particular activity? For starters, it makes the process much easier and more streamlined. But improving efficiency is not the only benefit. HR is very often responsible for checking that worker qualifications are correct and up to date. Using software and building in automated alerts is more effective than a manual or paper-based system in avoiding omissions or finding that qualifications have inadvertently lapsed.
A modern HR software system that is designed to meet the needs of the construction sector will help HR managers to plan what training has been completed as well as looking ahead and scheduling in what needs to be done going forward. This is necessary for two key reasons:
- Meeting the compliance obligations pertinent to particular roles, sites or activities
- To assist with the ongoing development of key individuals within the business
It’s important to mention that one of the unintended benefits of a formal, structured and forward-looking approach to training is that it can have a positive effect on individual motivation. People like to feel valued and seeing an ongoing company commitment and supporting investment in their personal training (rather than just an ad hoc approach) is a good way for the company to inspire loyalty in the long term. Bearing in mind the current issues the construction sector continues to have with employee retention, this can only be a good thing.
Investing in HR training software also makes it much easier to meet compliance reporting obligations for the construction sector. Use it to quickly create training reports which can be utilised to actively demonstrate compliance as well as to report back to the senior management team on training activities and the all-important return on training investment.
Another significant value of implementing HR software, which will ultimately bolster staff training, is to help reduce the associated risks when working on construction sites. With functionality such as risk assessment recording, accident and investigation tools and implementing measures, such as tasks and alerts, you can enable health and safety leads, and the workforce as a whole, to effectively stay on top of this crucial area.
With this two-pronged attack, meeting compliance and health and safety standards will be significantly easier, and your workforce will have the peace of mind that their wellbeing is truly a priority for your business.
Found this article useful? Why not read our FREE guide: HR in Construction: New ways to address your core challenges to discover more ideas specifically for HR managers in the construction industry to consider.
