How do you ensure project stakeholder safety?

1 Identify risks and hazards

To ensure project stakeholder safety, the first step is to identify potential risks and hazards that may arise during the project lifecycle. Risks are uncertain events that could have negative consequences for objectives, such as delays or cost overruns, while hazards are sources of harm or damage that could cause injury, illness, or death to people or property. Examples of risks and hazards in construction projects include falls from heights, electrocution, fire and explosion, exposure to hazardous substances, collisions and struck-by incidents, ergonomic and musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological stress and fatigue. To identify these risks and hazards, you need to conduct a thorough assessment of the project scope, design, site, activities, resources, and stakeholders. This can be done using various tools and techniques like checklists, inspections, audits, surveys, interviews, brainstorming sessions or risk matrices to collect and analyze data and information.

2 Manage risks and hazards

The next step in ensuring project stakeholder safety is to manage the risks and hazards that have been identified. Risk management is the process of planning, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing actions and measures to reduce or eliminate the likelihood and impact of risks. Hazard management is the process of applying the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or minimize exposure and harm of hazards, which includes elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment (PPE). To manage risks and hazards, a risk management plan and hazard management plan must be developed and documented that outlines objectives, responsibilities, methods, resources, and timelines for each risk and hazard. Communication and consultation with stakeholders is also necessary to ensure their awareness and involvement in the risk and hazard management process.

3 Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders

The final step to ensure project stakeholder safety is to communicate and collaborate with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Communication involves exchanging information and feedback between stakeholders, while collaboration involves cooperating and coordinating to achieve common goals. To do this, you should establish and maintain regular communication channels, develop a stakeholder engagement strategy, provide stakeholders with relevant information, seek feedback on the project scope, design, quality, risks, hazards, and opportunities, resolve conflicts among stakeholders in a respectful manner, and recognize and reward contributions. Additionally, you should use appropriate language, tone, and style when communicating with stakeholders and adapt your methods based on the stakeholder group. Following these steps can ensure project stakeholder safety and create a positive work environment that can benefit your reputation, performance, and profitability.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?