Introduction The presenter will discuss each of the above exposures, how it affects every safety professional and the construction companies they work for and provide practical up to date solutions that can be implemented to reduce loss.
The presentation will be PowerPoint using photographs from construction projects and the discussion will focus on the major areas of construction soft costs such as insurance and what can be done to control those costs through implementing sound risk control techniques.
Since entering safety in the mid 1970s a lot has changed both in technology and particularly in construction safety. Some of the tools available now that were not available when I started are the internet, blackberries, iphones, on-line training capabilities (Aon's Safety Logic,), Fleet 1-800-how am I driving stickers (Aon's Smart Drive) and other technical advances. Experience is still very important and nothing can take the place of on the job learning. My presentation today will talk about my experiences that I hope you can use in preventing injuries and incidents on your projects.
Understanding the Problem There are many exposures that we face on construction sites that we need to know about and know how to control them in order to bring real value to the companies we work for. The presentation will look at employee safety and how it relates to workers compensation costs, general liability exposures and how they relate to protection of the public and completed operations, fleet and driver safety and how important that is in controlling automobile insurance costs, and protecting our tools and equipment from theft with a good crime prevention program. All of these affect your insurance costs and your organization's top and bottom lines.
Construction sites are inherently dangerous and high risk environments. Construction has about 4 or 5 percent of the workforce and about 20 percent of all fatalities and disabling injuries. Construction activities typically encountered are steel and concrete, low mid and high rise buildings, bridges, street and highway construction, housing including high rise condos and town homes and detached homes, underground and infrastructure work such as tunnels for subway systems, natural gas lines, petroleum lines, electrical, water and sewer. Construction may also involve chemical and petroleum processing facilities and cleanup and environmental firms such as hazardous waste landfills and disposal. Whether you are an owner, construction manager, general contractor, subcontractor or second, third or fourth tier subcontractor, you will have specific exposures that you will need to control to maximize your profitability and to help stay in business.
Safety Management Systems are critical is preventing loss. Loss prevention efforts should be treated no differently than any other department or process within the company. I have found that those companies that have the best safety records on a consistent basis are those that have a process in place which has clearly defined goals and objectives, management accountability systems and a safety culture that is strictly adhered to and enforced in the field.