Communicating effectively is a vital part of any working environment. However, on a construction site, the stakes are a little higher and good communication skills are a must.
Construction sites are fast-paced working environments where injuries can occur at any second. Not only can poor communication lead to delays or structural failure. But, if an effective line of communication is not established, it can result in serious injuries.
5 Important Skills For Job Site Communication
At Chad Fisher Construction, we make sure that we have all the necessary communication systems in place to ensure seamless project management. Each member of our team has good communication skills so that we can reduce risk and deliver projects efficiently.
Here are 5 of the most important communication skills to have for job site construction:
Technology
Technology is an ever-expanding spectrum in the modern world. However, the construction industry has seen a radical improvement in technologies, helping with communication.
These technologies help to eliminate communication blocks, increase profits, and aid with safety hazards. An example of this is drones. You can now use a drone to sitemap and conduct complex project inspections. Not only is this easier and quicker than a person would do it, but it relays accurate information instantaneously.
Moreover, other technologies such as BIM (Building Information Modelling) Software and Wearable AI all help improve the flow of communication on the project site. BIM helps us to provide real-time updates to all stakeholders and team members so that everyone stays on the same page at all times.
Listening Skills
This is probably one of the oldest and most effective communication skills any person can have. If you are in charge of establishing communication, you have to be able to effectively listen to your crew.
We do this through four simple points:
- Stop Talking
- Focus
- Ask Questions
- Summarize
When a crew member has a problem and needs some assistance, it’s important to give them a space in which they can talk. By asking questions, we can ensure that we get a better understanding of the problem so that we can solve it.
Training
This is vital when it comes to any industry. But, in construction, it is crucial to have a properly-trained team who understand the importance of good communication. This ensures that the team will communicate effectively and knows exactly how they should communicate.
It is as simple as having a well-established chain of command. This gives a clear understanding of what everyone’s role is on the project and who they report to. Good training also allows our crew to all use the same communication methods. This includes the jargon that they use as well as assumptions linked with the project.
A highly trained crew leaves little room for error and gives room for growth when needed. At Chad Fisher Construction, we ensure that everyone has an understanding of their roles so that they can carry out their tasks effectively.
Quality Control
Quality Control is a constant at any construction site that cannot be overlooked. Not only is it important to implement quality checks before, during, and after a project but to quality check the crews’ communication. This helps us to establish effective communication between crew members.
This is done through a system of accountability. We conduct regular quality checks on our team members’ communications. This helps to ensure that everyone is up to speed with what they need to do and are getting their tasks done. It helps to keep track of the frequency of team members and communication documentation to measure communication quality.
Hiring Qualified People
This ties in quite nicely with having a well-trained crew. It is only natural to want to build and lead a construction site that is of a superior level. This level of excellence can already start at the hiring process.
We focus on hiring crew members that are suited to the role they need to do. By hiring qualified people for the job, it makes the communication processes much easier. They know how to listen, ask questions, and do their jobs.
Hiring a highly qualified team accomplishes half of the job already. As they are well-equipped to do their jobs, they don’t need as close management.
Key Takeaways
A construction site is no playground. It is a highly stressful workspace. As a contractor, we know that we need to meet our deadlines daily in order to keep projects on track. We also understand how important it is to have good communication for onsite safety.
With effective communication skills, such as listening and quality control, we minimize conflict and safety hazards. At Chad Fisher Construction, we ensure all our team members have good communication skills so that we can complete projects on time with minimal risk.