Look for Safety Protocols in the Specs

A seasoned estimator will know to look for injury prevention and safety protocols in the bid documents. Some contractors will require that all construction site workers attend a “stretch and flex” meeting every morning. On a recent job that we bid, due to the size and duration of the project and the number of workers this bid line item accounted for a cost of over $1 million over the life of the project! This is something that a company would not want to omit from their job costs before they submit a bid.

From an operational standpoint, avoiding employee injuries is paramount. Check your specs for safety protocols for your jobsite! Here are some tips:

• Educate employees on safety. Ongoing safety meetings are required on many construction sites. Make sure all employees know how to properly use and store equipment.
• Provide protection equipment. Some jobs require protective equipment; be sure it is provided to employees. Hard hats, safety vests, and glasses are usually a requirement on most construction sites.
• Don’t take shortcuts. Taking shortcuts may save some time initially but in the long run, an injury will cost the business owner time and money. Or it could injure (or worse kill) a worker.
• Monitor safety measures. Check periodically that everyone is in compliance with safety regulations. This gives the business manager the opportunity to correct bad habits before an injury occurs.
• Keep the workplace organized and clean. Make sure equipment is properly used, and then stored.
• Have a safety and wellness plan. By having a plan in place, employees should know how to act in case of an emergency.

Businesses should require their to always use safe practices when working, no matter how big or small a job is. With the proper investment in safety protocols and injury prevention measurements, accidents can be prevented, saving a business time and money.

OSHA reports that nearly 6.5 million workers are employed at approximately 252,000 construction job sites in America on any given day. With all of these workers, it is crucial that you are committed to job site safety. OSHA lists five of its safety standards that are most frequently violated.

Include 5 Safety Standards when estimating injury prevention

• Scaffolding Safety
• Fall Protection
• Excavation Safety
• Ladder Safety
• Hazard communication

In terms of estimating, review the safety protocol for each job you are bidding. You may find that there are safety requirements and training for field workers that must be covered in your estimate. When it comes to injury prevention, it is better to be safe than sorry.