Dealing with a subcontractor who resists safety protocols on site. How can you ensure everyone stays safe?

We all know that safety on the job site is each individual’s responsibility. Every tradesman onsite should be pointing fingers and complaining to the general contractor if the violations are serious. If minor in nature, it’s up to the GC’s superintendent to make the rules clear and notify offending home offices. Three strike and you’re off my job. Safety practices are not negotiable in this day and age. No decent contractor or sub puts their people in harms way. It’s too expensive in terms of fines, reputation and finding replacement workers while paying injured ones to stay home convalescing.

Violations also lead to poor workmanship and possible defective installations. They can also be indicative of a poor work ethic.

Resisting safety measures is very common on the part of Sub-contractors and I would say when dealing with subcontractors resisting safety protocols on site, clearly outline safety expectations from the outset, ensuring they are documented in contracts and communicated in pre-work meetings. Emphasize the importance of compliance with safety regulations and outline consequences for non-compliance (Zero Tolerance for Non-compliance Rule). Regularly reinforce safety protocols through training and audits to ensure understanding and adherence.

Providing the manpower with the correct PPE and equipment for their task is essential. Making safety expectations clear to everyone and then making sure these guidelines are adhered too.

Regular training plays a critical role in upholding safety standards on our site. We schedule recurring sessions that cover everything from safety protocols to hazard awareness and emergency procedures. It's important that these trainings are practical and relevant, tailored to the specific tasks and risks we encounter. We use various methods like hands-on demonstrations, workshops, and e-learning to ensure everyone learns effectively. Periodic refresher courses are also part of our approach to keep everyone up-to-date with the latest safety practices. We actively seek feedback from subcontractors to continuously improve our training and address any concerns promptly.

Regular training on PPE and equipment is essential to a healthy and productive workforce. Having your employees know how to use their PPE, PFAS and equipment correctly is extremely important. If you see something being used incorrectly, explain and retrain if necessary

Let me share something we do on our site. Consistent enforcement of safety protocols is something we take very seriously on our site. We make sure that from the outset, all subcontractors are crystal clear on our safety expectations, which are outlined in detail during our pre-work meetings and written into our contracts. We don't compromise on safety, and everyone understands the consequences of not following our protocols. Regular audits and inspections are part of our routine to ensure compliance and address any issues immediately. This approach helps us foster a culture where safety is ingrained into our daily operations, and we work closely with subcontractors to address any safety concerns promptly.

When you notice an employee going the extra step to keep safety at the forefront be sure to complement them for doing so. Recognition is key as it boosts moral and enthusiasm

For the most part, people will not resist safety protocols for no reason. There may often be something that is genuinely stopping them acting safely. Understanding these barriers is the key to enable contractors to be able to act safely on site, as it doesn't make things complex, which is often a driver for people to make unsafe decisions. On that note, open dialogue will indicate their attitudes and values, and if they are not complying due to complacency or poor safety attitudes, it is perfectly acceptable to ask them to leave site if they cannot work safety and are putting themselves or others at risk. At the end of the day, they are on your site and you are responsible for them and their impact on your employees. Don't forget this.