As supply chains continue to grow in scope and complexity, so do contractor safety risks. Occupational injuries aren’t just bad for contractors, they can also hurt your bottom line — productivity losses caused by lost work days cost U.S. employers $1,685 per employee on average, the Centers for Disease Control reveals. On the other hand, businesses that actively mitigate supply chain risks spend 50% less to handle disruptions.
Since contractors are new to your operation and ways of doing things, they may not share your same strong commitment to safety culture. Fortunately, by taking steps to properly vet contractors, automate high-risk tasks, and include safety clauses in your contracts, you can maximize the value of working with contractors and minimize safety risks. This can protect your contractors, as well as your supply chain and bottom line.
Vet your contractors
The only way you can be confident your contractors will comply with your business’s safety standards is to thoroughly vet potential options before you agree to work with them. So, first off, always ask contractors for references. Ideally, you should be given at least two references from previous projects that are similar in size and scope to yours, and address the same kind of safety risks.
Pre-qualification questionnaires are also a useful way to shortlist the best candidates for the job. In fact, past research has found that providing contractors with pre-qualification questionnaires can reduce safety incidents and lost work days by 20%, Occupational Health and Safety reveals. In particular, your questionnaire should ask for documentation that proves the contractor’s compliance with health and safety policies. And, don’t forget to ask to see their training certificates. For example, the ISO 45001 certification is an international occupational health and safety standard that reduces risk of compliance breaches and on-site accidents.
Automate high-risk tasks
Automating the most dangerous parts of the job can also minimize safety risks when working with supply chain contractors. For example, autonomous robots like pallet movers and pick-and-place robots can take care of high-risk tasks, such as heavy lifting and picking items from high shelves. Robot forklifts even take humans out of the equation when it comes to forklift operation. When they’re not automated, forklifts are responsible for 34,900 serious injuries every year in the U.S. Since automation also helps workers conserve energy, they’re in turn better able to focus their other responsibilities.
That said, workers can still benefit from correct manual handling techniques to prevent repetitive strain injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (like tendonitis, bone fractures, and osteoarthritis). Musculoskeletal disorders are the biggest cause of work-related illness, and account for approximately 77% of occupational injuries in construction workers, in particular. Above all, correct posture should always play a key role in manual handling to prevent pain and musculoskeletal injuries in contractors. When the spine’s natural curve is compromised, the back becomes strained and the muscles weaken. Contractors should therefore be encouraged to maintain good posture at all times, and particularly when performing manual handling tasks.
Embed safety terms in your contracts
Your contract should also include a clause that asks your contractor and their subcontractors to comply with your organization’s health and safety regulations, along with local, federal, and state regulations. Clearly state in the clause that if they fail to comply, they’ll be terminated and escorted off-site immediately. Your regulations should also require the contractor to report safety incidents as soon as they notice them, so as to prevent further accidents and injuries. Even minor incidents should be logged.
It’s also useful to track safety key performance indicators to monitor contractor safety compliance while they’re on the job. You can even hold regular meetings with your contractors to discuss these performance metrics, as well as any recent safety incidents. This sort of open discussion is a great way to increase safety awareness across the whole team, and brainstorm corrective actions to prevent repeat incidents.
Minimizing safety risks when working with contractors can prevent accidents, injuries, and lost work days. By vetting your contractors, automating high-risk tasks, and including safety terms in your contracts, you can successfully improve on-site safety and keep your supply chain running smoothly without disruption.
About the Author
Nina C. S. is a writer with a knack for turning complex ideas into enjoyable reads. She’s constantly looking to broaden her reach and contribute to platforms in various niches. When she’s not working on her writing projects, she likes to explore seaside towns and enjoy the company of her family and friends.
