How a Safety Program Controls the Owner’s Risks
Cost savings of safety vs. non safety
The process of preventing employee injuries and illnesses itself makes the contractor more efficient and effective with projects. The pressure to cut corners, skimp on materials, reduce quality, or rush to get the project completed is significantly reduced through compliance to a good, jobsite safety program.
There are many components of a good safety program, depending on the type of project that is undertaken. To be effective, most programs should have the following components:
Pre-project Planning (PrePP) is the simple process of getting the leadership team together to discuss how the project will be carried out in accordance with the contract. Every phase of the project and corresponding tasks are examined including project overview and contracts, internal organization, schedule management, task planning, resource management, material/supplies, cost management, budget/production, cash flow management, risk management, safety, subcontractor management and responsible individual list.
A contractor that plans work in this manner is more likely to perform the contract to the owner’s expectations, particularly if the owner is actively engaged with the contractor as a joint venture partner in the project. This joint venture relationship also helps the contractor become very responsive to the needs of the owner.
Safety is planned into the job as an integral part of the operation rather than something that is used only when it is necessary. This reduces the “shoot from the hip” decision making process and replaces it through the implementation of planning. For example, if a public risk is identified, a plan is developed for the protection of the people using the facility. The plan would include tools, materials and labor costs as well as the design, engineering and scope required to install the proper protection