Thanks to you and your staff for putting safety at the forefront. Many builders and trade contractors don't even think about safety until they are issued a citation or an accident or fatality occurs. Builders should place the same emphasis on safety as they do budget, schedule, and quality. If they can't do it safe in the field, then it shouldn't be budgeted, scheduled, or checked to see if it is done right.
Your article brought out many good points, but probably left many workers, foremen, and builders with the same response I hear as a safety trainer and consultant during almost every site visit: “There is just so much to remember. We don't want to know the regulations. Can't you just give us some kind of checklist to follow?”
As you are aware, safety must be part of the company culture and the pre-planning process. Too often, safety is considered only after the project or work in the field has started. Few workers, foremen, or managers are proactive in regard to safety because they don't know what to ask or check for in the field. They will review building plans, specifications, and material lists before starting a job, but few review or check the safety requirements.
Lack of training is part of the issue, but many companies do train. The problem is, it is frequently only every so often and, when done, is crammed into a short period of time. The requirements and standards are covered, but not how to implement them into daily activities.
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