Safety is More Than OSHA
If you think “Safety” on a construction project is just following the OSHA rules, you may need to expand your point of view. OSHA rules are the minimum standard for employee protection. Many employers have policies that require greater protection from hazards than what OSHA requires. These employers understand the wider point of view that “safety” encompasses. They view the term “safety” to include identification and control of all activities that put the company at risk while constructing a project. They want to keep their company “safe” from harm, which means they want to keep it profitable. It doesn’t need to be said that dealing with unanticipated hazards is costly.
“Safety” in the wider sense, includes the protection of the public or building occupants in the case of a remodel. The public includes pedestrians, moving vehicles, and nearby homes and businesses that will be affected by the presence of the construction project. Keeping a company “safe” starts during the cost estimating stage where hazards (risks) can be identified as the construction process is analyzed.
Contractors with the wide point of view will have someone, not involved with project management or estimating, review the specs and prints with a critical eye towards hazards. The emphasis will be on determining where risks may lie in either the contract documents or on the site. This information can be used to either eliminate the hazard at this stage or figure out a way to lessen its impact during the construction stage. Either way risks are known up front thus eliminating uncertainty which leads to extra cost.
Take a look at your point of view towards “safety” to see if it needs expanding. If it does, contact MBI’s “safety” services team who can provide that critical eye. Tom Suckow 515-250-0773(cell) and tsuckow@mbionline.com or Phil Mercuris 515-250-7001(cell) and pmercuris@mbionline.com.
