The Value of Hiring a Safety Conscious General Contractor
Here’s the thing. Safety conscious general contractors aren’t just optional for you. Safety is actually an investment you make in your company – one that can gradually lead to exponentially amount to huge returns. A safety conscious general contractor will prioritize safety from the get go, so not only will your project be completed within the budget and on time, but the building will allow employees to stay healthy and safe as well.
Hiring a Commercial General Contractor
You might be worried of investing in safety programs because for financial reasons or because of the economic environment. However, the fact is that not implementing safety regulations and standards could end up being exceedingly costly for you in the long run. By using safety programs you can improve not just your workers’ wellness and safety, but also their productivity. You reduce the risk of injury during a project, and limit both the owner and the commercial general contractor’s exposure to liability.
Interestingly, an owner who implements and maintains safety programs actually does not face high up-front costs, because the commercial general contractor is legally mandated to comply with regulations. Contractors are required by local, state or federal law to implement safety procedures like hazard communication, confined space entry, fall protection and respiratory protection, among others. By using a contractor that helps you prevent these injuries, you significantly reduce the hidden costs of an accident (which include OSHA citations, employee-replacement costs, increased insurance costs and loss of use), as well as overhead costs of insurance and hidden costs of accidents.
However, safety doesn’t stop at just the original building phase. Any safety programs implemented by your general contractors will need to be maintained over the long term with continued support and enthusiasm from management. A safety conscious general contractor will be able to suggest ways participation in safety programs can be promoted, such as employee incentives. These incentives could get creative, such as safety games and promotions, or safety cards that are redeemable for safety compliance. Incentives like these help prioritize safety at all times.
A building that makes an effort to be safety conscious will thus see reduced risks, increased profitability, as well as contracts that are completed on time. Construction risks will be reduced, and it will also require less rework. That’s why it’s so important that owners only hire general contractors with a proven track record of safety consciousness.
