Safety is a top concern among general contractors, with construction and similar fields still ranking among the most dangerous work environments. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other governing bodies continually update rules and regulations to help improve workers’ safety on hazardous job sites.
Failing to comply with these guidelines puts your workers at risk and can cost you a pretty penny. In 2019, work-related deaths and injuries cost $171 billion in workers’ compensation, medical expenses, and lost productivity.
You can't cut corners when it comes to safety, but you can streamline safety compliance without compromising your workers.
what is safety compliance?
Local and national regulatory agencies set standards and regulations aimed at minimizing the risk of workplace injuries and accidents. All your workers have the right to work in a safe environment, and regulatory bodies including OSHA and other industry-specific agencies can help you to provide one.
OSHA, which sets safety standards across multiple industries, often updates its safety and compliance standards as technology and workplace conditions evolve. Under its most recent update, companies in certain high-risk industries are required to report a log of injuries and work-related illnesses once a year. OSHA and other governmental agencies ensure a safe workplace through inspections, whistleblower laws, enforcement protocols, and standards. If you’re not meeting these standards, you risk financial penalties and even jail time, depending on the violation.
common challenges in safety compliance
There are many reasons your firm may experience challenges in complying with safety regulations. For one, rules and regulations are complex and change regularly. Unless you have a safety officer keeping up with all the rules, it can be hard to keep up.
You may also have limited resources. A limited budget can make it hard to buy the latest safety equipment or supply extensive safety training. Additionally, you could be experiencing workforce shortages, causing your existing team to take on more work. This leaves little time for safety training and enforcement.
There is also a lack of standardization among organizations for safety protocols. For example, OSHA sets standards for various types of construction projects based on potential hazards. Highway construction carries different hazards than residential construction, including noxious gasses and exposure to traffic. If you work on multiple types of projects, you need to know all the regulations.
standards for streamlining safety compliance
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend as much time on safety compliance with the right strategies in place. Take advantage of these tips to streamline the process and keep your workers safe without spending a lot of time and money.
using technology to collect and analyze data
Instead of trying to collect and submit information manually, use safety compliance software to manage and report data. Choose a platform that offers mobile integrations so you can track safety activities in real time.
Safety compliance software lets you set up a single database to store and manage compliance-related data. Easily organize information such as training data, inspection reports, and incident reports. With one location to store and access crucial information, you can submit compliance records faster. The right software can also take reporting off your plate by allowing you to automate reports on key compliance metrics.
Developing Comprehensive safety plans
Streamline safety compliance by creating standardized plans upfront. Make a list of various projects you work on and job sites you manage. Next, use best practices to identify hazards and identify risks:
- Tailor safety plans to the unique aspects of each project
- Consult OSHA regulations and other rules for specific job sites and add safety protocols to your site-specific safety plans
When you take this approach to safety planning, you shift away from a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, you can identify and mitigate site-specific risks and prevent compliance violations.
investing in employee training
Set up regular employee training for people at all levels of your organization, from managers to frontline workers. Use a combination of videos, lectures, hands-on training, and other teaching methods to encourage active participation in safety training.
After each training session, gather employee feedback to see how you can improve future exercises. Regular training keeps everyone aware of what they need to do to comply with safety regulations and procedures. It also helps you foster a company culture of safety and helps reduce job site accidents.
Encourage employees to participate in safety-culture surveys. You'll help them create a sense of ownership of their responsibilities. Ask your frontline workers to make a list of their top safety concerns on job sites. You and your management team may not be fully aware of all the risks on a job site, and engaging frontline workers shows that you value their input and are committed to their safety.
partnering with safety compliance services
If you don’t have the time or resources to handle compliance by yourself, collaborate with experienced safety consultants to help you navigate requirements. You'll have access to experts with specialized knowledge of safety requirements. A consultant can look through your existing safety compliance strategies and make recommendations to improve them, or they can help you develop a customized solution.
Safety consultants may also have access to information you don’t. They are aware of the best compliance software, regulatory updates, and other information you don’t have time to track on your own. Partnering with an outside consultant is a more effective use of resources because you can leverage their expertise.
conclusion
Each year, high-risk industries are plagued with accidents that impact a worker’s quality of life and can cost a contractor time and money. Complying with safety regulations helps minimize these incidents. By leveraging technology, training your workers, and tapping into external expertise, you can create a safety compliance plan that keeps you compliant while protecting your workers.
