Outsourcing work to contractors brings both advantages and challenges. One significant concern is the safety of external personnel on your site. According to the research and advisory firm Verdantix, contractors are two to three times more likely to experience workplace accidents, making robust safety management essential. This is especially critical for companies certified under international occupational safety standards like ISO 45001, which emphasizes the need for comprehensive safety measures throughout the supply chain.
To enhance your contractor safety management, we’ve put together eight tips to create a safer and more effective working environment.
1. create clear communication channels
A clear-cut communication strategy will help you avoid uncertainties about who has authority. Determine what information should be passed on to contractors and ensure regular workers can be contacted if necessary. Establish relevant communication channels and ensure that everyone involved can access them.
2. centralize contractor information
Implement a central contractor portal that consolidates information about audits, certifications, competencies, and employees. Clearly define who is responsible for updating the data and establish rules for how this should be done.
3. criteria for selecting contractors
When hiring a contractor for a specific job, use the contractor portal to review various third parties and their services. Focus on their occupational safety record in previous jobs, as well as the outcomes of on-site inspections and audits.
4. document and evaluate safety performance
Document safety-related data from the individual companies you hire to better analyze their occupational safety performance. If significant violations occur, you can bar them from future contracting work with your company.
5. integrate safety management processes
Integrate your contractor safety management with other safety processes seamlessly. Connect your risk and incident management resources to ensure contractors have unrestricted access to vital safety information.
6. focus on proactive safety indicators
Don’t limit your assessments to lagging indicators, such as lost workdays or recorded incidents. Instead, be proactive with leading indicators that track approval ratings for safety regulations or the number of successfully completed safety trainings. This approach enables better predictions of contractors' future occupational safety performance.
7. cultivate strong contractor relationships
Foster close relationships with the companies from which you hire contractors. Regular contact enhances the safety of both your employees and incoming contractors.
8. streamline contractor safety management with technology
Consider best-in-class, cloud-based AMCS EHS Management software. This comprehensive solution offers robust tools for managing contractor safety, ensuring compliance, and improving overall operational efficiency. With features designed to centralize safety data, enhance communication, and facilitate reporting, contractor safety management software can help you maintain a safer working environment and meet regulatory requirements effectively.
optimizing contractor safety management
Effective contractor safety management is absolutely essential to ensure the well-being of all personnel on your site. This is particularly true in industries where outsourcing is common. Focus on proactive safety indicators and nurture strong relationships with contractors. By establishing clear communication, centralizing information and integrating safety management processes with cloud-based specialty software, you can enhance the safety and efficiency of contractor operations.
Explore how AMCS EHS Management software can transform your contractor safety management practices. Contact us today.
You can also see how our solution can help you with your contractor safety management – just ask us for a free demo.