With contractors and temporary workers on the rise, companies must guarantee that their personnel remain safe by effectively managing a contractor safety system. These types of workers aren't as familiar with your company and safety policies putting them at higher risk.

The costs associated with injuries and illnesses can take a severe toll on company profits. Over $170 billion each year is lost due to preventable incidents in the workplace- investments that would be much better utilized elsewhere.

So here are a few tips to help your business take control of contractor safety management:

Clearly Define Contractor Safety Expectations

Businesses must take the initiative to understand safety requirements before hiring a contractor. The preliminary research should outline the tasks required for the contractors to complete and any regulatory standards the business needs to follow.

Communication between the employer and contractor is critical to ensure both parties know the guidelines that must be implemented. Therefore, businesses must certify that these expectations are effectively communicated before bringing someone on board.

Safety Expectations may include the following:

• Understanding the employer's health and safety policy, procedures, and processes
• Ensuring that any equipment and tools used by contractors are safe to operate
• Complying with all applicable laws and regulations regarding safety in the workplace
• Following all safety protocols while on the job, including wearing protective gear when necessary.
• Taking appropriate action if there is an emergency or potential hazard.

By setting clear expectations for contractor safety ahead of time, organizations can ensure their contractors meet their health and safety requirements. This will help protect workers and employers from unnecessary accidents or injuries in the workplace. Additionally, it helps create a culture of responsibility where everyone knows their roles in maintaining workplace safety.

Leverage an EHS Software Solution

EHS software can help companies ensure their contractor security is up to par. The software assists businesses in managing, monitoring, and controlling health and safety in their workplace. This includes tracking risks and compliance with regulations, analyzing EHS data to identify trends and issues, creating custom dashboards for measuring performance, and reporting on key metrics.

It also allows them to create customized action plans for managing daily hazards and incidents. By using the software's tools, firms can ensure they are meeting standards while keeping workers safe simultaneously.

The software comes with many features designed to increase contractor safety management. These include automation of processes, such as risk assessments, incident investigations and reporting, health and safety audits, and creating action plans with detailed objectives and targets.

Additionally, it enables businesses to keep track of safety performance through real-time monitoring, so they can quickly identify any unsafe practices or conditions that need to be addressed.

Its flexibility makes it easy for businesses to customize it for their specific needs. Businesses can set up workplace rules, establish guidelines for workers, set up emergency response procedures, and even create custom dashboards that allow users to monitor their EHS metrics in one place. Furthermore, the software is designed to be cloud-based and mobile-friendly, making it easier to access information on the go.

Above all, using a software program to promote workplace safety can ensure that organizations remain compliant with standard regulations. An EHS software solution helps organizations ensure workers' safety while addressing compliance needs and reducing liability risk.

Develop Comprehensive Safety Training Programs

By investing time and resources into creating a sound safety training program, employers can protect the well-being of their contractors. Consistent and accurate communication can further enable companies to develop clear policies and guidelines, which can keep everyone aware of the processes necessary for working safely.

Ascertaining that employees stay up-to-date with all safety regulations, organizations can be sure that industry standards are met while creating an efficient working environment. This ultimately serves as a foundation for reducing accidents, fatalities, and overall workplace incidents while gaining a reputation for being dedicated to maintaining safe operations.

There are many types of safety training programs available, but the three most popular ones include:

Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment Training

This type of safety program focuses on identifying hazardous conditions in the workplace and assessing how severe those risks can be. It covers a plethora of topics, such as hazard recognition, the hierarchy of control measures, and evaluation techniques to determine which control measures should be implemented. The goal is to ensure that all potential risks are identified, and preventative measures are put in place before any accident or injury occurs.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Training

PPE training is designed to ensure that workers are aware of and properly using any protective devices required on the job. This can include hard hats, safety goggles, steel-toed boots, and other devices prescribed by OSHA standards. Training sessions typically discuss the proper use of the different types of PPE available and how they should be stored when not in use.

Ergonomics Training

Ergonomics training is designed to teach workers about their body's limits when lifting heavy objects or performing repetitive tasks over an extended period. The goal is to reduce overexertion injuries related to awkward postures, faulty posture habits, or improper lifting techniques. This type of safety program often includes demonstrations and hands-on exercises that teach workers how to use the proper lifting techniques.

Wrapping Up

By following these steps, businesses can create a safe working environment for contractors while ensuring they remain compliant with industry standards. Through effective management and technology, employers can ensure their personnel remains protected at all times.