Contractor Safety Oversight

🔹How to Conduct a Safety Audit in Construction Sites: 1. Planning the Audit Define the scope (which areas, activities, or contractors). Decide the type of audit: compliance, procedural, behavioral, or full HSE system. Review standards & references: OSHA, ISO 45001, Saudi Civil Defense, company HSE plan, method statements, and risk assessments. Prepare the audit checklist tailored to the site activities. 2. Pre-Audit Meeting (Opening) Meet with project/site management. Explain objectives, scope, and process of the audit. Set expectations (non-punitive, improvement-focused). 3. Document Review Check HSE management system documents, e.g.: HSE policy Risk assessments / JSA (Job Safety Analysis) Training & induction records Permit-to-work system Incident records and corrective actions Equipment inspection logs (scaffolding, lifting, electrical, etc.) 4. Site Walkthrough / Field Inspection Inspect active work areas for compliance: PPE usage Scaffolding, ladders, and working at height controls Lifting operations Electrical safety Excavations and confined spaces Emergency access and fire equipment >>Take notes, photos, and speak with workers about safety awareness. 5. Interviews / Worker Engagement Talk with supervisors and workers. Ask simple questions: “What do you do if there’s an emergency?” “Have you received training for this task?” >>This shows whether procedures are practical and understood. 6. Identifying Non-Conformities & Good Practices Classify findings: Critical (immediate danger, requires stop work). Major (serious non-compliance, needs urgent correction). Minor (opportunity for improvement). >>Record also positive observations (good practices to encourage). 7. Audit Report Preparation Summarize: Scope and methodology. Key findings (with photos/evidence). Non-conformities (with severity level). >>Recommendations for corrective & preventive actions. 8. Closing Meeting Present findings to management and contractor representatives. Discuss immediate corrective actions. Ensure agreement on action plan and responsibilities. 9. Follow-Up & Corrective Action Tracking Assign deadlines for each problem in an action plan. Verify implementation through re-inspection or evidence submission. Monitor until closure. ✅My Golden Rule: Always balance compliance checking with coaching/engagement → don’t just point out issues but explain and help fix them. ✅The main purpose of the Audit is to find the weakness in HSE system and how to improve it not only for pointing the blame. (No Blame Culture) hashtag #Safety hashtag #Audit

Are We Measuring Construction Safety the Right Way? In construction, workplace health and safety (WHS) performance measurement is often reduced to numbers. Injury rates, lost time incidents, and compliance checklists dominate reporting. But does that truly reflect safety on-site? A recent study by Lingard & Pirzadeh (2025) examines how clients influence contractor safety through Performance Measurement and Management (PMM) regimes. Their research categorises client approaches into three broad types: 🔹 Autocratic (Command & Control) – A heavy reliance on lagging indicators like injury rates and financial penalties. This often leads to data manipulation, low trust, and excessive "safety clutter" rather than genuine improvements. 🔹 Bureaucratic (Structured but Rigid) – A more mature system that incorporates leading indicators but remains focused on check-the-box compliance. The administrative burden can sometimes distract from frontline risk management. 🔹 Collaborative (Participative & High-Trust) – Clients engage with contractors, use meaningful safety metrics, and foster honest reporting and problem-solving. This approach leads to better outcomes. 👉 What Does This Look Like in Practice? From experience, I have seen how strict compliance-driven systems can push safety underground. Workers and supervisors feel pressured to present good numbers rather than address real hazards. When safety is treated as a scorecard exercise rather than an active risk management tool, reporting becomes reactive instead of proactive. On the other hand, projects where clients work with contractors, rather than just audit them, build a safety culture that actually prevents incidents. Open communication, shared accountability, and using meaningful safety metrics make a measurable difference in contractor performance. 🔍 My Takeaway If we want safety measurement to drive real change, we need to: ✅ Prioritise leading indicators that track proactive safety actions instead of just incident counts. ✅ Reduce safety bureaucracy because paperwork should never take priority over frontline risk control. ✅ Encourage open reporting without creating fear of penalties for contractors. What do you think? Have you experienced WHS systems that work well, or those that backfire? #ConstructionSafety #WorkplaceHealth #WHS #Leadership #SafetyCulture #SafetyLeadership #CHWHS

In the construction industry, effective risk management strategies are crucial to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and promote a safe working environment. Here are some key risk management strategies, particularly focused on workplace safety, for the construction industry: ✅ Comprehensive Safety Policies and Procedures Develop and implement comprehensive safety policies and procedures that address potential hazards specific to construction activities. ✅ Employee Training and Awareness Conduct regular safety training programs for all employees, emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety protocols and recognising potential risks. ✅ Job Hazard Analysis Perform Job Hazard Analyses for each construction task to identify and assess potential risks associated with specific job activities. ✅ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Mandate the use of appropriate personal protective equipment for all workers. Regularly inspect and maintain PPE, and ensure that employees are trained on the correct usage and care of their equipment. ✅ Regular Equipment Inspections Establish a routine inspection schedule for construction equipment and tools. ✅ Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans Develop and communicate clear emergency response and evacuation plans. Conduct regular drills to ensure that all employees are familiar with the procedures in the event of an emergency. ✅ Regulatory Compliance Audits Conduct regular audits to assess compliance with local, state, and federal safety regulations. Identify any gaps in compliance and take corrective actions to mitigate risks and maintain regulatory adherence. ✅ Subcontractor Oversight Extend safety management practices to subcontractors by implementing stringent safety requirements in contracts. Regularly assess subcontractors' safety programs and performance to ensure alignment with industry standards. ✅ Incident Reporting and Investigation Establish a clear and accessible process for reporting incidents and near misses. Investigate each incident thoroughly to understand root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. ✅ Health and Wellness Programs Implement health and wellness programs to support the overall well-being of employees. This includes promoting healthy lifestyles, providing access to medical services, and addressing issues related to mental health and fatigue. ✅ Use of Technology Leverage technology, such as wearables, sensors, and monitoring systems, to enhance safety on construction sites. These tools can provide real-time data allowing for quick responses to potential risks. By integrating these risk management strategies into daily operations, construction companies can not only ensure compliance with safety regulations but also create a safer work environment, reduce accidents, and protect the well-being of their workforce. #compliancelab #compliance #construction

Safety KPI (Key Performance Indicator) framework for construction projects encompasses a broad spectrum of activities aimed at ensuring workplace safety, compliance, and efficiency. These KPIs should be measurable, actionable, and closely aligned with the overarching safety goals of the organization. Below is a proposed set of KPIs tailored to the specific activities: 1. UA/UC Identification and Follow-Up With Closure - KPI:Number of UnSafe Acts/Conditions (UA/UC) identified vs. number closed within a set timeframe. - Goal: Increase the closure rate of identified UA/UCs. 2. Induction Training - KPI: Percentage of workers completing induction training before commencing work. - Goal: Achieve 100% completion rate for induction training. 3. Daily TBT (Toolbox Talk) Conduct - KPI: Number of daily TBT sessions conducted vs. planned. - Goal: Ensure 100% execution of planned daily TBT sessions. 4. Tool and Tackles Inspection - KPI: Percentage of tools and tackles inspected as per schedule. - Goal: Maintain 100% compliance with inspection schedules. 5. Awareness Training - KPI: Number of workers who have undergone specific awareness training sessions. - Goal: Enhance worker safety awareness through targeted training sessions. 6. Weekly Walk-Through - KPI: Number of weekly safety walk-throughs conducted. - Goal: Conduct weekly walk-throughs to identify and mitigate risks. 7. Incident Investigation and Reporting - KPI: Time from incident occurrence to report submission. - Goal: Reduce the time taken for incident investigation and reporting. 8. Alcohol Testing - KPI: Percentage of workers undergoing random alcohol testing. - Goal: Ensure a zero-tolerance policy towards alcohol consumption on-site. 9. Water and Diesel Consumption Report - KPI: Monthly variance in water and diesel consumption. - Goal: Reduce environmental impact and operational costs by optimizing resource consumption. 10. Noise Monitoring - KPI: Percentage of work areas compliant with noise level standards. - Goal: Ensure all areas comply with legal and safety standards for noise levels. 11. Rough Survey Report - KPI: Number of rough surveys completed vs. planned. - Goal: Complete all planned rough surveys to identify potential risks. 12. Near Miss Reporting - KPI: Number of near misses reported and addressed. - Goal: Foster a culture of safety by encouraging near miss reporting and addressing underlying issues. 13. Weekly/Monthly MIS Report - KPI for Weekly: Number of weekly safety metrics reported on time. - KPI for Monthly: Number of monthly safety metrics reported on time. - Goal: Maintain timely reporting of safety metrics to monitor and improve safety performance.

It's crazy how some construction firms are stuck being reactive: Waiting for claims before reviewing safety. By then, the damage would have already been done. That's why the best safety cultures live in the future, not the past. They lean on leading indicators to get ahead of risks and proactively surfacing issues before they happen. Our risk team assesses many forward-looking factors, monitoring metrics like: - Training completion - Safety Perception in Culture - PPE compliance site-wide, etc. About 90% of warning signs tend to be consistent. But 10% of the time, we encounter unprecedented risks to stay ahead of. Spotting problems early allows for targeted reinforcement wherever sites are vulnerable. Instead of just looking in the rearview, aim to spot hazards around the corner.  So where does your organization land—still responding to what’s already happened? Or ready to spearhead prevention? 👇

On June 4, a massive fire destroyed a significant portion of an affordable housing project under construction in Redwood City. This incident highlights the critical importance of stringent fire safety protocols on construction sites. Construction sites present unique fire hazards due to the presence of combustible materials, unfinished fire protection systems, and potential ignition sources. Adherence to the International Fire Code and NFPA 241 is crucial for mitigating these risks. With 104 units lost, this fire delays much-needed housing for low-income families, underscoring the broader community impacts of construction site fires. It's a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous fire prevention measures and community risk reduction strategies. Key Takeaways: Develop and regularly update a comprehensive fire prevention plan. Conduct daily site inspections to ensure compliance. Implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access. Provide comprehensive fire safety training for all personnel. Collaboration between developers, contractors, fire departments, and the community is essential to create safer construction environments. https://lnkd.in/gcG8bA2Q Raymond OBrocki, Esq. American Wood Council NFPA International Code Council #FireSafety #ConstructionSafety #CommunityRiskReduction #FirePrevention #NFPA241 #BuildingSafety #AffordableHousing #RedwoodCityFire