Expert: Site safety should be treated as an investment, not a cost

Construction safety should be managed as an investment area, an industry leader has urged

Construction & Engineering

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An expert said in a recent report that safety measures should be viewed as an investment, not a cost area.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s 2014 data revealed 20% of workplace fatalities occur in the construction industry.

Assurance Senior Vice President and Construction Practice Leader Michael Alberico said that a shift in perspective could effectively make construction sites safer. Additionally, as part of a cost savings program, such safety investments can lower claims and insurance costs, as well as increase productivity.

As an area for investment, Alberico stressed the need for continuous improvement of safety processes and, ultimately, performance.

Furthermore, safety training and information should not be limited to simple communications collateral, such as posters and signage, but must be integrated into ongoing employee development programs.

To be effective, Alberico recommended the undertaking of preventive measures as a result of workplace analysis. Key performance indicators and specific safety metrics are necessary in identifying safety issues and measuring the effectiveness of such preventive measures, he added.

He further noted the need for a “blame free” safety culture to enable a forthright attitude in reporting safety incidents, which would ensure  corrective action is taken and the root causes of such are identified, and thus prevented.
 

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