The importance of TR measurement in ensuring safety

Introduction

The accident frequency in construction is still among the highest in Finland. The TR measurement has been shown in practice to be the single most effective tool for lowering it. Yet in many small construction companies the measurement is done irregularly or on paper, from which the data goes nowhere.

In this article we go through how the TR measurement works, why it is worth doing electronically and how it supports the company's quality management more broadly.

What is the TR measurement and why is it mandatory?

The TR measurement (the building construction safety index) is a standardised method for numerically assessing a site's safety level. In the measurement the site is walked around and observations are classified as either correct or incorrect in six areas:

1. Working
2. Scaffolding, walkways and ladders
3. Machines and equipment
4. Fall protection
5. Electricity and lighting
6. Order and waste management

The TR index is calculated with the formula (correct observations / all observations) × 100. A good level is over 90%.

The law does not require the TR measurement by name, but the construction work safety decree requires weekly safety monitoring. The TR measurement is the most widely used way to meet this obligation.

Electronic TR measurement or paper: what is the difference?

A measurement done on a paper form ends up in a folder. An electronic measurement automatically produces material that paper does not give:

• A history trend. You see the index develop from week to week.
• Visual observations. A deviation is documented with a photo right at the location.
• Assignments. A corrective task is assigned to a responsible person and a deadline is set for it.
• Sharing. The report goes by email to the client or supervisor immediately.

An electronic system also guides the person measuring. It reminds them which areas need to be covered and prevents finishing the measurement before all points have been handled.

Responsible people and measurement rhythm

In practice the TR measurement belongs to the responsible site manager or the site supervisor. On large sites several people take part in the measurement. An electronic system supports this, because several people can log into the same report from different areas.

The recommended rhythm is once a week on the same weekday. Regularity is more important than the completeness of the measurement, because the trend tells more about the safety culture than a single result.

TR measurement as part of quality management

The TR measurement is not only an obligation required by the authorities, but a management tool that creates the site's safety culture. When personnel know that the site is measured weekly and deviations are documented, safety behaviour changes.

In addition, documented safety history protects the contractor in disputes: it can be shown when an observation was made, what was corrected and when.

Summary

The TR measurement is a simple yet effective tool that reduces accidents, meets legal obligations and builds a safety culture systematically. An electronic implementation adds value through automatic documentation, trend analysis and easy reporting. The value of the measurement comes from regularity, that is, from doing it once a week, every week.