5 Best Practices to Improve Contractor Safety

A recent post on the NIOSH Science Blog outlines results of a new research report on the best practices for managing contractor and supplier safety, noting that "Contractor safety management is extremely relevant in our increasingly global and complex world that involves work in multiple countries, non-routine work and the use of international and temporary workforces." 

The report prepared by The Campbell Institute of the National Safety Council, identifies the three top factors that compromise contractor safety: 

• Financial pressures and deadlines that can lead to shortcuts and unsafe behavior on the job 
• Lax training and supervision of subcontract workers, broken information flows and unclear work responsibilities 
• Insufficient safety standards and enforcement 

Based on analysis and interviews with 14 Campbell Institute members and partners, the report outlines recommended practices for contractor management that can be used throughout all stages of contractor relationships: 

• Prequalification 
• Pre-job task and risk assessment 
• Training and orientation 
• Job monitoring 
• Post-job evaluation 

Using analysis of top EHS organizations, the research outlines principles all organizations should consider and identifies where organizations most often struggle. For more details and results from this research, including recommended best practices, read more at the NIOSH Science Blog. 

• Download the report (pdf). 
• Visit the Campbell Institute research site. 
• Browse construction safety signs.
• Learn why contractor regestries are just one step toward contractor safety.