Job site safety is critical, but many companies are hesitant to hire a construction safety consultant due to the upfront cost.
However, in a recent survey, nearly three quarters of employers expressed the belief that health and safety requirements benefit their company as a whole, with 64-percent saying they save money in the long term.
In the world of construction, with ever-changing OSHA requirements and consumer demands, entrusting the safety of your workplace to a qualified professional can free you up to focus on meeting your project goals while giving you peace of mind. Whether large or small, your business can benefit from an outside perspective—one that is invested solely in keeping your crew trained and safe.
What does a safety consultant do?
They perform a variety of duties, such as conduct safety audits, draft corrective action plans, provide training, and assist in conflict resolution. They will work with your existing safety and procedures team to identify potential hazards, ensure compliance, and minimize inefficiencies. This flexibility makes them invaluable whether you are seeking to maintain what works for your company or reshape your safety policies in the future.
Why should I hire one?
State and federal regulations that cover environmental responsibility, safety, and employee health are constantly being revised. Site managers have enough to deal with as they navigate the daily demands of the job, and anything that falls through the cracks could result in an accident or OSHA violation. The expertise and support of a safety consultant lets site managers focus on the task at hand while keeping your organization responsible and responsive.
While many companies choose to hire a full-time safety manager, they can face challenges attracting qualified hires that are able to integrate into the existing company hierarchy. Conversely, because a consultant is an unaffiliated third party, their only goal is the safety and wellbeing of your crew. This impartiality can serve to balance against oversights and blind spots that your organization may not even know it has.
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Safety consultants also bring with them a wealth of past experience, which can benefit organizations of any size. Smaller companies may need help establishing basic protocols and navigating legal requirements, while larger companies can benefit from a fresh perspective that challenges inefficiencies and helps departments coordinate with each other.
When should I hire one?
The best time to hire a construction health and safety consultant is as soon as possible. It is always costlier and harder to address an issue after it has caused an accident or fine, and the majority of a safety consultant's work is preventative.
Here are three key opportunities where your site would benefit most from a safety consultant's help:
1. Ensure Compliance Before an Inspection
If you have any concerns about your site running afoul of OSHA compliance, it is best to find out for sure before a surprise inspection confirms your fears.
A third-party consultant can look for and address these shortcomings as well as help you draft a corrective action plan in response. After an audit or inspection, a safety consultant can also help your company fix any issues that arise in a timely manner.
2. Improve Productivity and Efficiency
When operations are unsafe, employees are less motivated and mindful. Both quality of work and overall productivity suffer when contractors are under stress or unsatisfied with their working conditions.
Safe working environments allow employees to focus on and prioritize their work. And while safety is an important goal on its own, developing safety procedures and enforcing rules also improves efficiency.
Safety consultants can help ensure that all employees and contractors are properly trained and that all equipment is in working order, reducing downtime and unnecessary costs.
3. Correct Safety Concerns After an Accident
The responsibility of paperwork, documentation, and official reporting after an accident can be a demanding one. In the event of an accident or injury, a safety consultant can ensure that your company responds quickly and appropriately.
In addition to satisfying the legal requirements for accident and injury reporting, a safety consultant will also be invaluable as you work to address the root issue through a corrective action plan.
Final thoughts
Your company needs to put safety first, while balancing your project and budget demands. This responsibility is a serious one, and should be handled by a trained professional.
A professional consultant can help keep your site in compliance and efficient while saving you the cost of a full time management position. The ability to coordinate across departments in large companies as well as implement safety plans within smaller organizations makes them essential to the overall success of your operation.
