How To Find A Contractor With A Good Safety Culture

The best way for an owner to become involved in the process and locate contractors with good safety programs is to implement a pre-qualification or screening process.  This is accomplished by looking at the contractor’s past safety history (experience modification rate). Review the following for the past three years: OSHA Recordable Rates, Lost Work Day Case Rate, and the Lost Work Day Rate. Also be sure to review the contractor’s current safety history and obtain references from past clients.
Further, there are many other ways that an owner can determine the contractor’s ability to control safety. For example, ask questions that deal with the specific nature of the work that is planned, the capacity of the contractor to do the work and experience with the type of work being performed.  Many companies will request the contractor’s organization chart to see that the necessary leadership structure is there to support an active safety culture.    
A great reference for additional safety information and ways to control safety on your jobsite is a book called Construction Safety Management by Raymond Elliot Levitt & Nancy Morse Samelson.

It is critical for all employees to comprehend site-specific training.
The Bottom Line
In order to reduce overall construction costs, decrease the time for completion and improve the quality of the job, owners have learned that it is important to take an active role in the contractor’s safety and training programs. Examining the contractor’s current and past safety performance history allows an owner to see how successful the contractor has truly been with their safety and health programs.
A safe contractor wins because he/she understands safety effects the successful completion of the contract and adds to bottom-line profits.  Insured losses as well as the hidden costs of accidents are significantly reduced, which also continues to add to the bottom-line.  The added bonus is a reduction in the contractor’s worker’s compensation, auto and general liability premium rates charged by the firm’s insurance carrier. The owner wins because his/her involvement helps to promote quality workmanship, prevent third-party lawsuits, and reduce general liability and property damage claims that would otherwise inflate the overall costs of the contract.
Perhaps the most beneficial aspects of owners and contractors working together with a joint venture safety program is that it provides for the safety, health and well being of the owners’ clients, employees and other people who live and work in or around the project. What a great way to give back to the community.

• p9cd4723a7339035ddcb8aea1048ad414f.jpg
• 3167afa892acea055f52073d947137c28b.jpg