An effective construction safety program goes beyond compliance to address overall loss control, which includes employee protection, property damage, and liability claims. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has created a model safety program for builders. It’s built on a solid foundation of safety principles that will resonate with safety professionals in the building industry and beyond.

Here’s what NAHB recommends:

  • State goals in writing. Determine what you want to achieve, such as employee protection, prevention of injury and illness, and prevention of fires, vehicle accidents, or property damage.
  • Write an action plan.The plan should reflect your commitment to run every project safely and comply fully with relevant laws, provide necessary safety equipment, and conduct ongoing training and education.
  • Establish a budget. In addition to equipment and PPE, factor in insurance costs, personnel to oversee the program, and time for safety meetings and program development.
  • Designate a safety champion. This could be an employee who is passionate about safety and has the full support of management.
  • Define specific responsibilities for key individuals, including the company president/owner, site superintendents, field employees, contractors and subcontractors, and others.
  • Develop and implement jobsite safe work practices. These should address federal and state regulatory requirements, as well as specific hazards and conditions applicable to the worksite.
  • Establish accountability procedures.Make sure employees know that safety is a part of their job and they will be held accountable for it.
  • Develop and deliver a comprehensive training program that includes supervisors and employees. Make sure to include emergency preparedness procedures in your training and have supervisors deliver regular toolbox talks to reinforce more in-depth training.
  • Conduct regular jobsite inspections and hazard analyses.
  • Develop recordkeeping procedures. Make sure to include required documentation for workers’ compensation, OSHA injury and illness records, and additional company records pertaining to safety.
  • Establish accident reporting and investigation requirements. Focus on information gathering and preventing future incidents, not on finding fault. Include near misses.
  • Develop and enforce a contractor safety policy.
  • Evaluate your program’s effectiveness.
  • Encourage feedback and recognize excellence.Get your employees engaged in your program and appropriately reward their involvement.

For more information or assistance with your Environmental and Health & Safety regulatory compliance needs, contact Ralph Carito at Total Environmental & Safety, LLC (Total) at rcarito@TotalEnviron.com or 908-442-8599.