If bigger jobs is the goal, industrial contractors need to be aware of the importance of their safety personnel. Safety professionals play a vital role in any industrial contracting business, and it is crucial to find the right people for the job.
In this blog, we will discuss how you can find the best safety personnel for your business, and how to manage them effectively.
The importance of safety personnel in the industrial contracting industry
Safety personnel are essential in any industrial contracting business, such as construction, mining, or manufacturing. They are responsible for ensuring the safety of employees and customers, as well as preventing accidents and injuries.
Without proper safety personnel in place, industrial contractors could face a variety of problems. For example, if an accident were to occur, the company would be liable for any damages or injuries sustained. This could result in lawsuits, which could bankrupt the business.
In addition, if safety protocols are not followed, it could lead to OSHA violations. These fines can be very costly, and can damage the reputation of the company. It is important to avoid these problems by having a good process for finding and managing quality safety professionals.
This can be a challenge, but there are ways to make it easier by following a process.
How to find the best safety personnel for your business
When looking for safety personnel, it is important to consider the specific needs of your business.
Some factors you will need to take into account include:
- The size of your business
- The type of work you do
- The type of industry you work in
- The geographical area you operate in
This information will determine the type of safety personnel you need, and it will also help you narrow down your search.
Once you have a good understanding of your needs, you can start looking for candidates. The best way to find qualified candidates is by using a professional safety recruiting agency. A good recruiting agency will already have a database of qualified candidates and will be able to match the right person with the right job quickly.
The alternative is to post a job ad online and screen potential employees yourself. This can be a good way to attract candidates who are already interested in working in the industrial contracting industry. However, the screening process can be time-consuming and you may not have the resources to properly vet each candidate.
For tips on screening safety professionals, read our blog on important skills to look out for here.
How to manage safety personnel for optimal performance
Once you have found the right safety personnel for your business, it is important to manage them effectively to ensure they are performing at their best and the project continues smoothly.
There are a few key things you can do to manage safety personnel effectively:
- Set clear expectations
- Communicate regularly
- Provide training and development opportunities
- Monitor performance closely
If you are managing temporary safety personnel, that comes with additional challenges, including:
- Ensuring the safety professional is adequately trained
- Ensure logistics are in place
- Making sure the safety professional understands the project scope
- Coordinating communication between the safety professional and other project stakeholders
ResponsAble Safety Staffing assigns a project manager to each client specifically for this reason. We are able to provide support and guidance to ensure the success of your project so you can focus on your business.
Common mistakes to avoid in managing safety projects
There are a few common mistakes that companies make when managing safety projects:
- Not having a clear plan or budget
- Hiring warm bodies instead of experienced and vetted workers
- Ignoring interpersonal conflicts
- Not communicating regularly
As an example, we’ve seen how ignoring interpersonal conflict can lead to disaster. If there is a personality clash between the safety manager and the project manager, it can quickly escalate and result in disruptions on the job site. This can ultimately lead to accidents and injuries due to distractions.
It is important to avoid these mistakes by being proactive and thoughtful about your safety project from start to finish.
The bottom line
Landing bigger industrial contracting jobs requires having quality safety personnel in place. The best way to find and manage safety personnel is by following a process that includes working with a professional safety staffing agency and setting clear expectations. By doing this, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure your safety project is a success.
If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you with your safety staffing needs, contact us today. ResponsAble can provide qualified safety personnel for your next job, including safety technicians, confined space attendants, heavy laborers, hole/fire watch, and more.
For more information on how to find and manage safety personnel for your business, check out our blog.