Construction Law

Cultivating a First-Class Safety Culture Part 2

Good or bad, every construction company has an existing safety culture in place. If you have a good culture there’s always room for improvement. If your culture is lacking, our Miami construction lawyers strongly advise you to begin putting the safety of your workers and your organization’s reputation first by using the tips we’ve provided in this two-part series. Part one of our article discusses the importance of making safety a priority, providing continuous training, and conducting site inspections.

Involve Everyone

Workers who are involved in the process of improving safety culture are likely to take safety seriously. They will also feel more comfortable communicating their concerns when they feel their input is valued. Some of the ways you can involve everyone include assembling a safety committee, an accident response team, and creating corrective action plans. As a result, employees will be involved in reviewing and updating your safety program, enforcing action plans, and mitigating hazards in the workplace.

Stress the Importance of Accountability

Safety is the responsibility of the employer first; however, every employee has a responsibility to comply with and promote proper safety standards. Clearly defined and enforced safety rules are critical to everyone’s safety, therefore, regularly monitoring and holding workers accountable for safety is a must. Workers should be encouraged to report unsafe conditions, correct safety issues, and participate in safety meetings.

Incorporate Incentives

Many companies implement safety incentive programs to recognize and reward employees for practicing safe and healthful work practices. They may reward employees for attending safety meetings, wearing the proper protective equipment, reporting unsafe conditions, and reporting near misses. While an incentive program has its pros, incentives can be ineffective if it leads to underreporting. This is why it may be helpful to provide incentives for using safe work practices and participating in safety activities well before an accident happens.

Hold Regular Safety Meetings

Without constant reminders about safety, your employees might forget the rules or become lazy with compliance. Safety meetings are a great way to keep everyone abreast of ever-changing regulations, company processes and procedures, and job requirements. Daily safety meetings will help to keep everyone aware of schedules for the day as well as provide the opportunity to discuss pertinent issues. For effective meetings, keep them brief, organized, and stay on topic.

If you would like to speak with a Miami construction lawyer, please contact us at 954.210.8735, or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.