Construction projects are in a constant race against time and budget. And while there will inevitably be issues that are out of your control that cause the project to increase in duration and cost, chances are, there’ll also be plenty of problems that could have otherwise been prevented.
Knowing these issues beforehand, you can create a thorough game plan and prevent most of them.
To that end, today, we’ll run through a construction inspections checklist so that you can avoid the most common issues that increase costs.
Are You OSHA Compliant?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a subgroup of the department of labor, advises contractors on proper safety procedures and precautions.
It’s essential that your worksite is OSHA compliant at all times. Specifically, you need to strategize ways to mitigate the four primary construction hazards that contribute to onsite fatalities, including:
Fall hazards – Wearing personal fall arrest equipment, installing perimeter protection, covering floor openings, using ladders and scaffolding safely.
Struck-by hazards – Encouraging workers to not position themselves between moving and fixed objects, and wearing high-vis clothing near equipment, machinery, and vehicles.
Electrical hazards – Identifying utilities before working, keeping an eye out for overhead power lines and maintaining a safe distance from them, grounding portable electric tools, utilizing ground-fault circuit interrupters.
Caught-in or caught-between hazards – Protecting excavation with sloping, shoring, or benching shield systems, and not entering deep trenches without an adequate protective system.
Is Everyone Wearing Personal Protective Equipment?
From headgear to footwear, all job site workers must be wearing the proper protective gear. These could be the difference between life or death, or a serious injury and a minor affliction.
Depending on your job site and occupation, types of safety gear to check for include:
Safety glasses, goggles, or shields for eye protection, especially when working with energized electrical systems.
Hard hats that are in good condition without dents, cracks, or having suffered an electrical shock.
Foot protection with safe-toed footwear that is both slip and puncture resistant.
Respiratory protection to prevent dangerous fumes, dust and debris, sprays, or respiratory hazards.
All it takes is a single accident to cause significant delays and potential liability suits.
Progress Inspections
Various inspections must be ongoing in both the lead-up to a contract and the following through with the project. Some of these may need to be carried out by specialists. For instance, they may need to verify that the project is in accordance with environmental policy.
Whether there is a single project manager who handles inspections or a team of specific inspectors, it’s vital that these are occurring regularly and as needed to comply with local ordinances.
Quality Control
Ensuring that a project ends on time and under budget requires real-time visibility and constant vigilance. The site must be inspected to make sure that:
The work complies with the requirements and standards
The materials and procedures match the plan and specifications
Contractors are performing and documenting their duties
Performing regular inspections on failures, lighting, electrical, HVAC, building interior, building exterior, and plumbing make it possible to identify problems early on and address them before they can have an outsized impact on the project schedule and final result.
MFS Construction—Preventing Costly On-Site Issues
Do you want to make sure that your construction project finishes on time and within budget? Then you must perform safety, progress, and quality control inspections frequently.
At MFS Construction, our full-service general contracting firm can assist with any type of project—and do so without wasting your time or money. As experts in construction management, we know how to prevent costly issues that commonly crop up.
Ready to get started? Let’s talk.