8 Steps to a Safer Jobsite

Safety isn’t just about compliance—it’s a driver of business success. A strong safety culture reduces accidents, claims, and insurance costs while enhancing efficiency and minimizing downtime. It also boosts morale, attracts talent, and positions your company as a trusted partner.

In 2023 alone, there were 62 million workplace injuries and 222,698 preventable deaths, according to the National Safety Council. A strong safety culture can prevent such incidents, easing financial strain and improving outcomes.

Enhancing safety also builds trust. Employees stay with companies that prioritize their well-being, reducing turnover and strengthening teams. For clients, safety-conscious contractors signal reliability, enhancing reputation and competitive edge.

A culture of safety is an investment in your workforce, reputation, and long-term success.

8 Steps to a Safer Workplace

Building a culture of safety takes more than policies—it must become a shared priority. Follow these eight steps to reduce risks, empower your team, and prioritize safety every day.

1.    Hire right Safety starts with hiring the right people. A dependable, safety-conscious team forms the foundation of a strong safety culture. Rushing through recruitment can lead to costly risks, making thorough hiring processes essential.

• Vet candidates—Background checks, motor vehicle record (MVR) reviews, and reference calls help assess candidates’ professionalism and commitment to safety, especially for roles involving equipment or vehicle use.
• Define job qualifications—Detailed job descriptions emphasizing safety standards help attract candidates aligned with your company’s safety culture.
• Emphasize safety in interviews—Include safety-related questions to evaluate candidates’ experience with hazard identification or safety protocol implementation.

TIP: Use a standardized hiring checklist with safety-specific criteria to ensure every candidate aligns with your goals. 

2.     Provide comprehensive onboarding and training The first days and weeks of a new hire’s experience set the tone for their safety practices. A strong onboarding program immerses new hires in the organization’s safety values and equips them to handle job-specific hazards effectively.

• Customize training to fit the role—New hires need training tailored to their responsibilities, such as equipment operation or hazardous materials handling. Specific instruction ensures they are prepared for the risks they’ll face.
• Incorporate interactive training methods—Interactive training, such as simulations or role-playing scenarios, enhances task preparedness. This helps new hires learn safety practices in a practical and relatable way.

TIP: Pair new employees with seasoned mentors to guide them through their first 90 days and reinforce best practices.

3.     Establish a safety committee Safety committees foster shared accountability and create a direct line of communication between employees and leadership. By involving representatives from all levels and departments, committees can address safety concerns collaboratively and ensure policies are applied consistently.

• Set measurable goals—Develop clear objectives, such as reducing incidents and near-misses. Goals provide direction and ensure the committee’s efforts lead to measurable improvements.
• Foster collaboration—Have your committee host regular safety check-ins and share insights, reinforcing the idea that safety is everyone’s responsibility.

TIP: Rotate committee members annually to bring fresh perspectives and foster widespread engagement.

4.     Conduct a risk analysis Proactive risk analysis identifies hazards before they become incidents.

• Engage employees and document risks—Involve employees in identifying hazards during audits, as their on-the-ground insights often reveal overlooked risks. Document incidents and near-misses to identify patterns and guide proactive safety measures.
• Prioritize and address hazards—Rank risks by severity and likelihood to focus on the most critical issues. Conduct frequent inspections to spot and resolve hazards promptly, preventing small issues from escalating.

TIP: Consider both well-known and little-known risks in your analysis. Research factors like subcontractor reliability, supply chain disruptions, and contract loopholes that could expose your business to unexpected liabilities.

5.     Continuous monitoring: Regularly audit and review A safety plan must evolve to remain effective. Periodic audits and reviews ensure that policies stay relevant and address changing conditions.

• Evaluate and adapt—Regularly review the plan for gaps, incorporating feedback from employees at all levels to address real-world challenges and align with evolving risks and regulations.
• Update and measure—Make revisions clear and accessible, and track metrics like incident rates to ensure updates improve safety outcomes.

TIP: Incorporate project site visits into your audits to observe how the safety plan performs under real-world conditions and gather on-the-ground insights from project teams.

6.     Empower employees When employees feel personally invested, safety becomes a shared priority.

• Celebrate safety successes—Recognize milestones and individual achievements in safety. This could include verbal praise, formal awards, or features in company publications.
• Encourage open dialogue—Establish anonymous reporting systems to remove barriers to sharing concerns. Act on feedback to show employees their input is valued.

TIP: Launch a “Safety Spotlight” program to highlight employees’ contributions to safety and inspire others.

7.     Engage technology Leverage technology to monitor, communicate, and address risks more effectively. Modern tools can streamline safety management and improve real-time decision-making.

• Adopt proactive monitoring tools—Use wearables to track worker fatigue, drones to inspect hazardous areas and in-cab telematics to gather data on driver behaviors—and more.
• Simplify reporting and access to resources—Mobile apps can centralize hazard reporting, incident logging, and access to updated safety protocols.

TIP: Invest in safety apps that enable real-time reporting and resource access.

8.     Lead by example Leadership sets the standard for a safety-first culture. When leaders visibly prioritize safety, they reinforce its importance and inspire employees to do the same.

• Model safe behaviors—Leaders should consistently follow safety protocols, wear PPE, and demonstrate safe work practices.
• Empower employees—Make it safe for workers to report issues on the job, from the dangerous actions of a fellow worker to equipment malfunctions.           

TIP: Make regular job site visits a priority for leadership. Observe workflows, ask about safety challenges, and shadow a task to show commitment and understand employees’ perspectives.

Ensuring Safety Today for a Stronger Tomorrow

A culture of safety is more than a program—it’s a commitment to protecting employees, enhancing morale, and safeguarding your bottom line. Collaborate with your insurer to access safety consultants who can assess risks, review plans, and ensure you have the right coverage and tools in place.

Take steps now to protect your employees, position yourself as an industry leader, and build a safer, more productive workplace for long-term success.