In the bustling world of retail and manufacturing, there is a secret weapon to help ensure your workplace is safe and sound—and it’s not having the newest, shiny safety equipment. Enter the unsung hero of workplace safety: Contractor Management!
Managing contractors isn’t just about staying within budget and keeping to the projects on schedule; it is also a crucial part of ensuring workplace safety for your workers and the contractors on your premises.
Picture this: Your store is undergoing a remodel, installing new electrical points in your warehouse, and the new signage is being put up. Things are being moved around, and your employees are running around trying to avoid all the buzzing activity on the premises s. Without proper oversight, these skilled contractors can turn your workplace into a safety hazard, and you might end up with something more than the upgrade you bargained on—think costly accidents, fines, or even worse…
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) mandates that all workers, including contractors, are protected from workplace hazards. If contractors are not properly managed, things can go sideways quickly.
By implementing a good system when choosing your contractors and providing oversight when the contractors walk onto your premises, you have already set yourself up for a controlled and safe environment for your employees and the contractors.
When you are selecting your contractors, choose them like you would when choosing a new car. Will you be able to trust them to reach your destination safely? Check their safety records, certifications, capabilities, and reviews.
Just like in a relationship, clear communication is vital. Make sure the contractor understands the precise expectations regarding health and safety compliance. Set clear guidelines and expectations on how the relationship needs to operate.
Providing safety training before any contractors start work will ensure that the contractors are aware of all the potential hazards and what the safety standards are, not only for the contractors, but also for your permanent workers. This can be done by inductions and continued safety workshops.
Don’t just set it and forget it. Continued oversight and check-ins help ensure that contractors adhere to all safety measures from start to finish of the project. This can be done by inspections or auditing by a competent person.
Did it happen if it was not in writing? Keep all records, inspections, audits, or any communication on the premises and easily accessible to ensure compliance or in the event of an incident.
By complying with the OHSA guidelines and properly managing your contractors from the vetting process until the completion of the project, you will not only prevent accidents but also improve operational efficiency and safeguard your reputation.
Ultimately, workplace safety is a team sport. You, as the employer, is the head coach and you need to provide them with all the tools to win. When all the players on the team take responsibility for their part, follow the trained strategy, always adapting as the game changes, and improving on the current systems, the only outcome will be a successful, safe, and healthy workplace.
For more information on the above topic, please contact LabourNet Eastern Cape at Regional Support: 087 292 5808. Contact: Phikolomzi Malamlela (060 6428 659) at pmalamlela@labournet.com or Robert Niemand (082 824 7359) at robertn@labournet.com
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