Why Is Safety Important in Construction?
In this blog, I’m going to give you some important reasons why safety should be a top priority for you and how you can approach it in a way that enhances your leadership. If you’re interested in improving safety on your construction site, stay with us because I promise you it matters. We’re going to cover why safety is crucial, how to make it a priority, and why it should never be overlooked.
The Importance of Safety in Construction
Safety in construction is critical for many reasons. I want to share an experience that demonstrates just how significant it is. I’ve done this exercise before with CRW, where I gathered a crew around for a stand-down, often in the form of a “come to safety” meeting. I would ask, with their consent, for everyone to put their phones down in front of them. Then, I asked them to imagine what it would be like if their little girl, boy, spouse, or partner were calling that phone—and no one was ever going to answer again.
Think about it: someone has to tell that loved one that the person they were calling is gone forever. That child or partner will have to go through the grieving process, perhaps parent alone, and maybe even find another life partner depending on the situation. Imagine having to tell your children that their mom or dad isn’t coming back. That chain reaction of grief is something we never want to experience. But when we don’t follow safety protocols on a job site—like wearing a seatbelt, using fall protection, or wearing safety glasses—we don’t often think about what could happen. But we should.
Why Safety Is a Priority
When I’ve done this exercise, crew members’ phones start vibrating. Their families are texting or calling them. That moment becomes real, and they start to understand the importance of safety. This isn’t about assuming anyone is careless—construction workers are brilliant. But we all lose focus sometimes, and we shouldn’t. Safety should be a non-negotiable value because while we can repair a wall, we can’t replace a life. No matter your beliefs—whether in heaven, hell, or nothing at all—there’s no justification for wasting a life or the time we have on this Earth. That’s why safety matters, first and foremost.
A safety professional at DPR once said something that hit me hard: “Until you get that you are responsible for everyone’s life on this job site, you don’t get it.” That responsibility sits with you as a supervisor, foreman, assistant superintendent, or project manager. It’s not just about what we build, but who we build. We don’t want to destroy any lives in the process.
How Your Experience Modification Rate (EMR) Can Affect Your Work
Let’s talk about your EMR, or experience modification rate. This is crucial for winning contracts, especially government projects. Your EMR reflects your company’s safety record and compares your risk level to the industry average. You want to be below a rating of one. A high EMR means your company has had too many workers’ comp claims over the past three years. This not only affects your premiums but can also reduce your ability to get work. So, if you’re not focused on safety, you’re not going to win contracts.
Other Reasons Why Safety Is Important in Construction
Let me walk you through more reasons why safety matters:
- Protection of Workers: The goal is to ensure that everyone goes home the same way they arrived. As the project’s leaders, superintendents, and managers, it’s your responsibility to make sure this happens.
- Legal Compliance: We have OSHA, local, state, and federal regulations that must be followed. Failing to comply can lead to fines and citations that could jeopardize your project and business.
- Cost Savings: Less safety means more legal fees, fines, and court cases. Staying safe helps reduce these risks.
- Enhanced Productivity: Safety isn’t just about avoiding accidents—it also boosts productivity. A clean, safe, and high-quality work environment helps projects run faster and more efficiently, leading to higher profits.
- Reputation: A good safety record is key to maintaining a strong reputation in the construction industry. Without it, you’ll struggle to attract top talent and secure contracts.
- Risk of Major Incidents: Poor safety practices increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. These events can not only harm individuals but also lead to severe consequences for the entire company.
- Sustainability: Unsafe practices aren’t sustainable. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt, and one major lawsuit could wipe out everything you’ve worked for.
- Employee Retention: People won’t stay in unsafe environments. If you want to keep top talent, you need to create a workplace where employees feel safe, supported, and valued.
- Insurance Compliance: Insurance companies require robust safety protocols to keep your coverage and maintain low premiums. If you can’t demonstrate a solid safety record, your costs will rise.
- Moral and Ethical Responsibility: It is unethical to place anyone in harm’s way without proper training, tools, or safety gear. Safety is not just a regulation—it’s a moral obligation.
If you want to learn more we have:
-Takt Virtual Training: (Click here)
-Check out our Youtube channel for more info: (Click here)
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Click here)
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Click here)
-The Takt Book: (Click here)
Discover Jason’s Expertise:
Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.
On we go