Subcontractor Safety

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Chapter 20

• Subcontractor Safety

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What of the Construction Work Put in Place is
Performed by Subcontractors?

• Most projects will subcontract from 60 to 100 of
  the work.
• The workers of subcontractors must be considered
  if project safety is truly a concern

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Do General Contractors Aggressively Promote
Subcontractor Safety?

• Only a few do this well.

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Whatever the Posture on Safety, the Subcontractor
will Still Be Faced with the Indemnification
Clause

• The subcontractor hereby releases the Contractor
  of all liability on account of any accidents
  during performance of work in this subcontract.

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Where does Subcontractor Safety Begin for the
General Contractor?
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Where does Subcontractor Safety Begin for the
General Contractor?

• Subcontractor Selection Process
• Should Safety be a Concern?

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How Can a Subcontractor be Selected on the Basis
of Safety?
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How Can a Subcontractor be Selected on the Basis
of Safety?

• Naturally, the traditional criteria will continue
  to be important considerations.

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How Can a Subcontractor be Selected on the Basis
of Safety?

• Naturally, the traditional criteria will continue
  to be important considerations.
• Safety Criteria Can Consist of Various Factors

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Subcontractor Safety Selection Criteria
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Subcontractor Safety Selection Criteria

• EMR (less viable, esp. with smaller firms.

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Subcontractor Safety Selection Criteria

• EMR (less viable, esp. with smaller firms.
• OSHA recordable incidence rates

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Subcontractor Safety Selection Criteria

• EMR (less viable, esp. with smaller firms.
• OSHA recordable incidence rates
• Ability to provide a site specific safety plan

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Subcontractor Safety Selection Criteria

• EMR (less viable, esp. with smaller firms.
• OSHA recordable incidence rates
• Ability to provide a site specific safety plan
• Management commitment.

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Schedule Status and Subcontractor Safety
Performance
Relative injury frequency
Schedule Status
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Subcontractor Safety Performance and the Number
of Subcontractors
Relative injury frequency
Subcontracts per Project
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The Relative Influence of General Contractors
Practices on Subcontractor Safety on Medium-Sized
Projects
Emphasis on safety
Concern for workers
Safety compliance
Project coordination
Project pressure
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Project Pressure results in Higher Injury Rates

• General Pressure to Perform
• Schedule Pressure, Behind Schedule
• Almost exclusive concern about Costs/Profit
• Bid Work (not negotiated)

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Project Coordination

• Smaller Projects have lower Injury Rates
• Safer Subs are on Projects with Fewer Subs
• Safer Subs have worked before with the GC
• Safer Subs were selected and had the terms of
  agreement negotiated

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Concern for Workers

• Safer subs are those who work with
  superintendents who care about people
• Safer subs work on projects where every worker
  goes through orientation training

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Emphasis on Safety

• Subs are monitored on safety performance
• Top managers address safety on job visits

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Safety Compliance

• Safer subs are vigilant about watching for and
  eliminating fall hazards
• Safer subs are those who have their work
  inspected for safety by the general contractor

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The Relative influence of General Contractors
Practices on Subcontractor Safety on large
Projects
Efficient job coordination
Emphasis on safety
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Emphasis on Safety Results in Safer Subcontractors

• GCs required subs to conduct their own tool box
  meetings
• Safety orientation sessions are conducted for
  subcontractors
• Subcontractor safety programs are subjected to
  careful review
• Subs are required to submit safety reports

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• Accidents of subcontractors are investigated by
  project managers
• Project managers make separate job tours to
  inspect for safety problems
• The work of subcontractors is inspected for safety

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Project Characteristics where subs have good
safety records

• GC has a full-time safety manager on the project
• All workers are required to attend tool box
  meetings
• Safety is discussed at pre-construction meetings
• Safety is discussed at the regular coordination
  meetings

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Other Job Traits for Safe Subs

• The home office monitors project safety
• Top managers make a point to talk about safety on
  job visits
• Separate safety meetings are held for supervisors
• Bonuses are based in part on safety
• Safety compliance is enforced

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Efficient Job CoordinationResults in Safer
Subcontractors

• More sophisticated scheduling techniques
• Greater use of short interval schedules
• Projects are ahead of schedule
• More frequent use of the schedule
• Subs have prior experience with the GC

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Basic Conclusion of the Large Study on
Subcontractor Safety

• General Contractors have a greater influence on
  subcontractor safety than do the Subcontractors
  themselves.

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Unique Findings on Large Projects Related to
Subcontractors
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Frequency of Subcontractor Safety Meetings
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Subcontractors are Prequalified Before Being
Considered
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When Subcontractor Safety Meetings are Held
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Subcontractors are Required to Submit
Project-Specific Safety Plans
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