Nobody likes having one of their employees injured on a jobsite and if it was a preventable accident, that only makes it worse. Even minor injuries can put an employee out of work for a while and if the injury is major, it could be the end of their construction career. However, while your primary concern should be for the worker, there are also ways a jobsite accident can cost your business.
Jobsite Accidents and your Company’s Bottom Line
An unexpected expense can hurt a small company anytime, but if it occurs during a difficult economic climate, it may be devastating. A jobsite accident can cause your Workers’ Compensation insurance rates to rise and if it’s large enough, you’ll almost certainly receive a visit from the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA).
OSHA may initiate an investigation and while they’re at it, they may check the jobsite for safety violations. OSHA fines can be large and if your company has had any past violations, your new fines may be astronomical and might be enough to put a small company out of business. OSHA takes worker safety very seriously and you should too. Set up a safety program and conduct safety classes on a regular basis with documentation as to who attends and what topics are discussed. Your foremen and superintendents should conduct safety inspections every time they visit a jobsite and constantly be on the lookout for violations such as:
• Hardhats not worn as required
• Improper use of ladders Home Plans With Cost To Build or using damaged ladders
• Improper scaffolding being used or lack of safety rails
• Not using safety gear Application For Payment Vs Invoice while doing roof work
• Using damaged extension cords
• Using damaged power tools
• Improper footwear
• No guardrails at stairways or loft areas
This is just a small list of the many safety issues that may cause jobsite injuries and incur fines from OSHA. Make it a point to acquaint yourself and your employees with OSHA’s safety regulations as they relate to your scope of work on the jobsite and inform your workers to never work on a site or in a building they consider to be unsafe.
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