Encourage or train team members to use their workspace effectively, safely and more productively by supplying good, comfortable adjustable chairs, wrist supports, etc.

This leads to less sick time, more comfort, higher productivity, and higher concentration.

It may pay for itself very quickly.

Possibly pay a physiotherapist or similar expert to visit and give advice on everyone’s desk or work station use.

Tagged with: comfortable • concentration • ergonomic • productivity • workspace

Filed under: Safety

You must learn to say no to some requests from clients

If change requests from the client will make the design unsafe or unusable, you should refuse to change it. Otherwise you could still be sued as the designer for giving misleading information when your company is the expert (accepting a change could be deemed as approving it, even if you gave a warning that it would be unsafe or unusable).

Another instance to say no is if the client asks for changes that will increase the schedule but won’t approve the increased schedule. Get approval from the client for the extended schedule or cost before saying yes to the proposed change.

Tagged with: change • schedule

Filed under: Client • Contract • Cost • Design • Risk • Safety • Scope

Make sure all stakes on a construction site are capped with coloured safety caps.

This is probably a requirement in many countries. It obviously reduces the risk of injuries, and it makes stakes easier to find. Health and safety inspectors may fine your company if they find stakes not capped.

It’s not a difficult task. Packs of the caps can be bought and put on site ready for use.

This is usually a task the construction contractor will do, but if you are running a smaller project, if you are the project manager you should check they are capped.

Tagged with: caps • injury • safety caps • stakes

Filed under: Construction • Contractors • Safety

If your company is not involved with construction (but just design or inspection), make sure the contract states that the construction contractor is responsible for site safety, not the “engineer” or your company.

There should also be clauses so your company is also indemnified.

The construction means and methods and related safety should be the responsibility of the construction contractor. This must be in writing in the contract.

Your company should be included as additional insured on the contractor’s general liability insurance.

Liability coverage should define who it specifies as being covered. If it covers the “engineer” your company must document and include that it includes your company as well.

Tagged with: indemnify • insurance • liability

Filed under: Construction • Contract • Contractors • Documentation • Risk • Safety • Scope