Keeping temporary workers safe is a constant challenge that demands vigilance from even the most experienced safety managers. Construction is one of the world’s most dangerous jobs, with a multitude of risks and hazards that put a worker’s life in danger if protective measures aren’t taken. In the U.S., some industries have higher injury rates, such as logging and fishing, but construction is at the top of the list in terms of total fatalities. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures from 2016, there were 5,190 workplace fatalities in 2015, with 970 of those being workers in the construction industry. This figure represents about 20 percent of all workplace fatalities.
Contractors Face Greater Risks
Contingent workers make up the bulk of a construction workforce, especially in onsite roles where the risk of injury is highest. This makes them susceptible to injuries, so any plan aimed at improving safety needs to focus on the specific reality of contractors. OSHA requires employers to provide a safe working environment, with the reality of temporary workers being one of the biggest challenges companies need to overcome in achieving this aim.
Most projects of any significant scale may require multiple contractors and subcontractors. Workers will often be spread out on various jobsites and will have different roles depending on the project. They will be divided into teams with specific supervisors and managers who each have some level of responsibility for the worker. However, it is the responsibility of the safety manager and employer to ensure that every individual receives the adequate level of training and equipment so that they are as safe as possible when working onsite.
Generic Training is Ineffective
The details specific to contractors pose a number of challenges for effective and safe management. For one thing, there are varying levels of risk depending on a worker’s role and location, so it can be difficult to ensure every individual receives the proper training. Some employers might think generic training is the answer but there is no onesize-fits-all training that can adequately cover all the required areas on a jobsite. Recent studies have shown that generic training is largely ineffective in controlling manual handling risks at work. The emerging consensus is that even commonly shared hazards (like slips, trips and falls and MSD-related injuries) should be covered in training that is role and location specific.
One major challenge when managing worker safety is ensuring that all documents are up to date to verify workers are qualified and compliant. Construction companies require insurance policies, risk assessments and method statements while workers require qualifications, certificates and records showing that they received training. If there are thousands of workers spread across numerous sites – many with different document requirements – ensuring that every worker and construction company is compliant is a headache.
Site-Specific Training
The safest method of training workers and the one that makes the most sense is to provide training that is location and role specific. On any jobsite, there are going to be hazards that exist only in that location and therefore cannot be included in a generic orientation. The same rule holds true for workers with different roles. An electrician and construction equipment operator face a different set of hazards and their training should reflect that.
While many companies have traditionally used in-person presentations for all their safety training, more and more are using some sort of online contractor management system to conduct their orientations. One common method is to use a blended approach that utilizes an online platform for general information along with onsite presentations for site-specific content. One potential downside of this is that site managers may put their own individual spin on orientations so it can be difficult to achieve the standardization preferred by employers who pride themselves on high levels of safety.
Use a workforce as an asset
Construction is in the midst of a severe skills gap, with positions such as electricians, bricklayers, plasterers and plumbers among the hardest to fill, according to the 2016/17 talent shortage survey. Since the recession, more than 1.5 million construction workers have left the industry, many of these more experienced workers. This has implications for costs, productivity and also safety. Older workers have years of built-up knowledge and generally know how to work safely while younger contractors are the ones most at risk of injury.
A temporary workforce will likely be a blend of experienced and inexperienced workers. Companies should leverage the experience of their older workers, either through mentoring schemes or by encouraging them to be proactive in coaching and passing on their safety knowledge to their younger colleagues. This kind of on-the-job help is one of the most effective methods of keeping contingent workers safe.
Engage with Stakeholders
When making changes regarding how contractors are managed, it’s best to develop a framework aimed at making the implementation as seamless as possible. Included in this framework should be a consultation period with workers to get input as well as address their concerns. This will lead to a better and safer system but will also make its implementation a lot easier. Frontline workers are the ones most likely to recognize a hazard so there needs to be a clear and easy to follow reporting process in place. Workers should feel empowered to suggest changes based on their own working experience. The systems that keep workers safe are not top-down structures, but rather should be inclusive and aim to include the views of as many of those affected as possible.
Safety Culture
Improving safety standards is not all about training and providing adequate PPE. It’s about instilling a safety culture that encourages workers to follow and engage with onsite safety procedures. Companies can try several things to engage workers, such as giving out safety awards, holding safety committees or implementing a safety incentive program. It can be difficult to create a safety culture among a workforce of temporary workers, but that is why it is so important. A strong safety culture means that hazards, near-misses and any first-aid incidents are reported and unsafe workers are not tolerated. Strong leadership that focuses on safety is needed to grow and sustain a culture that keeps everyone safe.
With a large number of temporary workers on a construction site, ignoring their safety concerns is not an option. Success comes from a multifaceted solution that includes training, equipment, leadership, compliance and ongoing management. All of these components will result in a strong safety culture among the entire workforce.
