July 17, 2017
Hiring a contractor for a job can prove more cost effective than adding a new team member, but it comes with its own disadvantages.
In addition to keeping your contractor invulnerable on the job, their actions can also affect the well-being of your crew and every aspect of your project to protect. If your contractor fails, the fallout of a single accident could seriously harm someone and permanently damage your reputation.
Take a look at the three most common challenges of contractor safety and learn how you can overcome them.
#1 – Promoting your safety culture
Contractors haven’t had the advantage of becoming part of your safety culture over time like your employees. And getting newcomers up to speed isn’t an instant process. That's why it's always important to promote your construction program's safety policies to new contractors.
Our latest eBook helps your employees adopt a responsible attitude so safety becomes ingrained in your program. Download your free copy to learn more.
#2 – Building rapport with team members
Contractors aren’t as heavily invested in your company as your employees. They haven’t had the benefit of building working relationships in your organization the way your team has with each other. And bringing someone new into the group, contractor or regular employee alike, can sometimes upset the workplace apple cart.
#3 – Tracking their performance
Hopefully, you train your contractor on how to do a job safely, whether it’s hands-on training or a formal orientation. But unless you have solid reporting system in place, you may never become aware of any safety issues a contractor encounters (or creates). Tools like EHS software can help you track the EHS performance of your construction site program.
How to Overcome Three Challenges With One Action
To overcome these and other challenges depends on how well you communicate. Hold frequent safety meetings to discuss issues and set your expectations on how to handle and report hazards on the job. Make it a point to speak to each contractor and get them engaged with the team in promoting a safe work environment. A few minutes a day could make the difference between a successful project and a safety disaster.
For additional tips, read Are You Tracking These Construction Safety Metrics?
