Task Planning Toolbox Talk

Pre-Task Planning Safety Talk

When you are a productive member of your job, you are rewarded for a job well done. It isn’t so much about how fast that you get it done, it's the quality at which you do it. Fast work doesn’t always equal efficient work—some things take time to do the right way. In construction, jobs need to be carefully planned out.

What is Pre-Task Planning?

Quite simply, pre-task planning in construction means holding one or more meetings to discuss a job in detail before it begins. This includes planning for things like how long a job will take, the number of people needed, the cost of the job, the materials needed, the job site hazards, etc. A failure to pre-task plan is a recipe for disaster.

Many times in construction work, there are multiple jobs being done at the same time. For everything to come together in the end, pre task planning needs to be done. A lack of planning can cause wasted time for the employee on the clock or even safety hazards.

The timing and resources that are needed for each job begin with management. Consults are conducted with all the necessary professionals to get all needed information. This helps to properly plan out the timing and resources for each project. Most of the time these plans are all put into writing for you to follow and stay on track.

The Next Steps: Review, Prepare and Execute

After all the necessary steps are taken to plan out a job, the next step is to make sure everyone is prepared. Review the tasks that need to be done be done and assign them out accordingly. A construction task management software can help with this. Each employee requires qualifications, training, and licenses to perform the tasks.

Another part of preparing for a job is making sure you have all the needed supplies. After you are informed on what needs to be done, then you need to gather all the equipment, such as the tools and permits needed for the job. When everything is preplanned and prepared for ahead, it makes the job run so much smoother.

What To Do When Work Plans Need To Be Adjusted

There are going to be times that plans have to be adjusted. You can have the best laid out timeline, and things will get in the way requiring some tweaks to be made in the plan. It could be a multitude of things, such as:

• Mistakes

• Rain delays

• Snow delays

• Storm delays

• Missing data

• Conflicts

• Equipment breakdown

• A sick or absent employee

An important step in planning is preparing for these hiccups that can come along. This is going to cut down on wasted time. When changes need to be made, the backup plan can immediately go into play. Sometimes you will have to bring in a new employee or find a replacement piece of equipment. This may set you back on your timeline, but having a backup plan in place will reduce the amount of extra time.

Why Pre-Task Plan?

Pre-task planning takes time and energy, but it is worth it in the long run. Here are some reasons why pre-task planning is essential in construction:

1. Weather Can Cause Delays

Weather is a big factor in many construction jobs. The work can still go on, but you will need to use the backup plans you have. Lightning is a safety hazard. When grade work or excavation is needed, rain can mess things up by creating muddy conditions. There are time restrictions on how long these areas need dry weather.

If rain is in the forecast, changes are going to need to be made. It doesn’t mean that it can’t be done, just some extra precautions need to be taken. The supervisor of the job will have a plan set out for where the rain runoff needs to be directed to. Weather doesn’t always mean delays need to happen, it just means you need to have a plan of what to do.

2. Plans Matter For Deadlines

When you have a plan in place it can help your job meet its deadlines. Even when there are adjustments that need to be made. Rain, broken equipment, and absent employees are going to happen from time to time. If you have a backup plan in place it can help you to still meet your deadlines, or at least with minimal added days.

The plan that you have set in place can allow you to prepare ahead of time for weather-related delays. Such as rain is in the forecast, you can have trenched or run-offs already dug to be ready for when it begins. By being prepared you are going to be more productive and have a safer environment for employees.

3. Planning is Important For Safety

The safety of all crew members on a construction site is very important. There are many hazards that can present themselves in this line of business. All employees need to have the proper training, licenses, and knowledge to perform their jobs safely. When plans are carefully laid out, it allows time to plan out all items needed.

For the best interest of everyone involved, a job needs to be executed in the safest way possible. The right safety equipment can be provided to perform the job. The right pieces of heavy equipment can be available, and enough crew members will be present. The planning stages also involve a safety plan. A safe working environment will help a job to come out more efficiently.

Some of the implemented safety measures that are in may include:

• Training on heavy equipment

• Training on tool use

• Training on recognizing hazards

• Safety signs posted

• Assessment of site safety

• Minimize site visitors

• Encouragement to report unsafe acts

• Identifying any dangers on-site

• Information on what to do with faulty tools

• Requirement of proper PPE

• Required breaks to prevent fatigue

All safety precautions can be put into place for you, but it is your job to follow them. These rules are not only to keep you safe. It is also for all the other employees working around you as well. Doing your best to keep your work environment as safe as it can be is important for everyone.