The holiday season might already feel like a distant memory for most as we reach mid-January.
For some industries, the Christmas break is their longest shutdown period, giving teams and management a well-earned rest before they hit the ground running in the new year.
The construction industry is no exception here, and as sites re-open, there are a few priorities that businesses need to put front and centre.
Dan Goodfellow, Group Manager for Products at Coates, shares his top advice for gearing up for a safe and successful 2023.
Revisit safety procedures
Returning to any construction site after an extended break can leave workers out of sync. It’s likely they’ll be returning with a different mindset to when they left - for better or worse - and it’s vital no one becomes complacent.
“Loading and unloading construction materials and equipment is an example of one of the most high-risk construction tasks,” Dan explains. “It’s also one of the first activities that will happen on construction sites on the first day back at work when many people will still be mentally gearing back up.”
Dan encourages teams to revisit load restraint principles and safety procedures, such as setting up exclusion zones and using a spotter, before getting stuck in.
To help the transport supply chain learn how to safely load their heavy vehicle, Coates is launching a new edition of its Load Restraint Guide in the first quarter of 2023.
Plan project requirements
You know the old saying: failing to plan is planning to fail.
There’s no time like the present to ensure teams have everything they need to carry out their early projects effectively and without delays. Dan encourages all construction businesses to plan their material and equipment requirements as soon as possible.
“There are still significant global supply chain restraints, and the lead time on some equipment has now become extraordinarily long,” says Dan. “You can’t just assume that if you have a job coming up, you’ll be able to get what you need, on time and within budget.”
Coates is continually looking to the market to understand customers and major project pipelines and investing in new fleet accordingly. “Because Coates takes a long-term view of its fleet and supply chain, we have already started to receive some of the equipment our customers will need in 2023 and beyond,” Dan says.
Map out staffing
With ongoing skills and labour shortages across the construction industry as we enter 2023, securing your workforce early is another crucial component for success, advises Dan.
“There’s been quite a lot of change and pressure on the construction industry lately, and Christmas can be a time when people re-assess their work situation,” says Dan. “You might find the workforce you thought you would have going into 2023 looks quite different, so when you’re taking on new projects, remember to check in with your team.”
It’s also important to stay on top of industry developments and legislative changes. This year has already been marked as a year for recruitment, with quotas set for the inclusion of women in construction in Victoria, so keep abreast of changes by subscribing to relevant professional regulatory bodies.
Focus on sustainability
Across the construction industry, sustainability will remain a key priority throughout 2023, as businesses strive to meet the requirements of major projects and deliver on their own sustainability goals.
Dan advises that this should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a barrier.
“Emissions targets might feel a long way away, but they’re really not, and understanding what you need to work towards and which products and solutions are available to help you achieve this is the first step,” says Dan. “Whether it’s better quality equipment, more efficient fuel use, lower emission engines, or more sustainable fuels, customers should think about how they can do things better and make greener choices.”
Contact your local Coates branch on 13 15 52 for all your 2023 construction equipment needs.
