COMMUNICATION ON SITE

24 Feb COMMUNICATION ON SITE

Effective Communication on site is necessary to the successful completion of any construction project. Good communication improves teamwork and leads to better results while poor communication often result in misunderstandings, inefficiencies and delays.
Few tips for enabling clear and effective communication

Establish clear lines of communication. Determine a chain of command and clearly state the requirements of all participants. Knowing who to speak to and the process by which to go about it is greatly beneficial to all projects and ensures any issues can be solved in the proper manner.

Choose the best communication method. Whilst on site, workers communicate in a number of ways, both verbally and nonverbally. Workers talk in person, via radio, over the phone and by email. But due to the nature of the working environment we also communicate through signs, drawings, hand signals and whistles. Choosing the right method of communication for specific tasks is vitally important for both efficiency and safety. For example, in a noisy environment or when using machinery it is often better to use hand signals and signs. When delegating tasks from distance it is more efficient to use hand held radios than talking face to face.

Understanding. It is always beneficial to try to understand what the speaker is trying to communicate from their point of view but never assume. Sometimes words or signals are taken out of context and assuming to know the meaning can be a safety hazard or lead to disharmony on site. If a worker gives a signal and you are unsure of the meaning, ask for it to be repeated or stop and talk about the signals given before continuing. If a personal issue arises, especially when time pressures or frustrations are involved, it is sometimes better to ‘Take 5’ to think things over and ask for clarification. This can help ensure a harmonious worksite.

Be concise & fact oriented. Whilst on site you want to make sure your message is understood the first time you send it. Keep it short and simple. Avoid using words or phrases that the people you are communicating may not understand. You should only be interested in providing or getting the facts. Don’t overelaborate, and unless asked, keep your personal opinions or feelings about a project to yourself. It is, however, important that you share your professional opinions when needed.