Celebrate CNY Safely with Practical Construction Safety Tools

Festive seasons like the upcoming Chinese New Year often test the operational resilience of construction sites amidst manpower crunches, reduced supervisory capacity, and rushed timelines. Past workplace injury data suggests that periods leading up to and following festivities see an increase in workplace incidents with teams under pressure to catch up on deadlines.

Recent reports highlight the critical importance of robust safety measures. In the second half of 2024, nine out of fourteen construction sites where fatalities occurred were found to have inadequate safety management systems, leading to stop-work orders until remedial actions were taken.

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council’s recent call for continuous vigilance further underscores the need to address these risks proactively. By leveraging modern tools and streamlined workflows, construction sites can maintain safety and efficiency without disruption.

Key Safety Concerns and How to Address Them

Falling objects remain a leading cause of incidents on construction sites, particularly during lifting operations, formwork activities, and demolition works. These hazards are heightened during busy periods when attention to detail might slip due to time pressures or resource constraints.

The challenge lies in ensuring that safety protocols are consistently followed amidst the fast-paced environment. Combining preventive measures with smart tools can help mitigate risks effectively.

To help you better understand these challenges and how they can be addressed effectively, we've created a quick visual guide with actionable measures for a safer and more efficient construction site this festive season.

1. Lifting Operations: Streamline for Safety and Efficiency

Lifting operations require careful planning and coordination among crane operators, riggers, signalmen, and supervisors. Delays in Permit-to-Work (PTW) approvals or overlooked safety checks can disrupt timelines and lead to safety incidents. Over time, fragmented systems and manual processes exacerbate these risks.

Practical Solutions:

• Ensure lifting plans are comprehensive, updated, and easily accessible to all stakeholders, even at the point of PTW applications.
• Use IoT- and AI-enabled monitoring to track activity in lifting zones and flag unauthorised entries or unsafe behaviours like standing under suspended loads.
• Configure templates to the type of work and automate workflows to validate criteria such as load specifications and worker certifications before work begins.

For example, integrating digital systems ensures lifting plans, worker and equipment certifications, etc. remain updated and accessible, reducing miscommunication and delays. Tools that link these data with real-time, multi-layered PTW approvals streamline processes, ensuring safer operations. 

2. Formwork Activities: Managing Overhead Risks

Formwork activities often involve overhead work, making them prone to risks from falling tools and unsecured components during erection, use, or dismantling. These hazards are compounded when multiple activities overlap within dynamic site conditions, requiring constant vigilance and real-time coordination.

Practical Solutions:

• Digitise and centralise Safe Work Procedures (SWPs) in a document library to provide workers and supervisors with clear, up-to-date guidelines.
• Implement dynamic isolation zones to flag overlapping activities and mitigate conflicts in real time during PTW applications.
• Equip supervisors with real-time alert systems for unauthorised zone entries or unsecured components

By integrating SWPs with automated workflows, teams can ensure consistent adherence to safety protocols. Digital alerts offer the advantage of responding to risks in real time, minimising potential disruptions.

3. Demolition Works: Managing Unpredictable Hazards

Demolition tasks often come with unforeseen risks, such as structural instability or unanticipated debris. Managing these risks requires proper safeguards with clear processes, competent teams, and responsive oversight.

Practical Solutions:

• Verify worker certifications and ensure only trained personnel handle high-risk tasks.
• Digitally document and share detailed Method Statements covering demolition sequences, equipment use, and contingency measures.
• Provide supervisors with tools to log observations in real-time and trigger immediate stop-work instructions if needed.

Digital tools that combine Method Statements with real-time monitoring help supervisors maintain control over rapidly changing conditions, ensuring that every task is executed safely.

Read more: How to choose the right PTW system with all these and more

Simplifying Safety Management with Smart Tools

Safety management should empower teams, not complicate workflows. Modern tools like Hubble’s integrated platform fits seamlessly into the fast-paced operations of construction sites by:

• Streamlining Processes: Automate repetitive tasks like PTW templated fields, credential checks, and digital approval sequence to reduce manual errors.
• Enhancing Visibility: Centralised dashboards coupled with on-site IoT and AI monitoring offer a clear overview of site-wide activities in real time, helping you identify and address risks before they escalate.
• Enabling Swift Action: Instant alerts for hazards like conflicting works, zone breaches, or unsafe activities ensure proactive interventions.

By connecting data, workflows, and real-time monitoring, Hubble ensures that safety remains a priority without disrupting productivity.

As Chinese New Year approaches, equip your team with resources to navigate challenges effectively:

• Download the 10-Step CNY Safety Checklist: A free, practical guide to actionable safety measures for your site.
• Explore Our Safety Solutions: Discover how smart tools can enhance your workflows through a personalised demo.

Let’s build safer, smarter, and stronger together this festive season.