Dealing with subcontractors ignoring safety rules in high-rise projects. Can you compel them to comply?

The margin for error is slim in high-rise construction, if only safety regulations are strictly adhered to. The acronym "Safety First " becomes effective when all relevant authorities and stakeholders have agreed to comply with safe regulations of the site. Documents like Site HSE plan, HSE policy, and other HSE procedures will help in cascading of Safety First. During the project kickoff meeting,these HSE documents are distributed to project subcontractors, safety expectations and consequences for violating safety regulations are clearly communicated to them. Unannounced site visit and inspection can reinforce the importance of complying with safety regulations.

To me, high rise construction is the most dangerous type of buildings you can work on. I just came if a new 67 story project that saw all kinds of safety issues. It was not all the GC’s fault either. The subs on the project did a horrible job pushing and enforcing Saftey from start to finish. I was there from the start of the excavation down 3 stories and was one of the last subs still there finishing up small punch list items. If we as leaders don’t enforce and adhere to Saftey then who will. It has to start from the top down. For example, I saw bundles of materials weighing approx 60lbs get blown off level 65 and ended up across the street onto a functioning building and causing some pretty extensive damage. Failed to secure materials.

The problem with hi rise safety is that the new generation do not know what we had to do before there were regulations we had to be creative for safety when you have a safety talk make sure that you have a tv monitor and show some accidents that real show death and bad injuries shock is critical today for our new recruits They don’t get it until it’s too late so for apprentices nothing better than an older foreman or super to give that safety talk.

Continuous training programs are powerful HSE tool on every construction site. Training programs are used to cascade changing conditions taking place on every construction site(from construction to pre-com/commissioning phases). Also,workers carrying out specific tasks in certain work environments(confined space, W@H, Offshore, etc.) and handling hazardous substances are required to undertake different levels of training to enable them to understand the inherent risk associated with the environment and the task. The training sections could be project specific or a 3rd party certification class, where attendance, participation and evaluation are mandatory.

Incentive program is a strong HSE tool for promoting positive safety culture on every construction site. Implementing positive incentive programs on a construction site will help in driving home the safety culture of that project and it is also a proactive approach in ensuring the workplace is free of hazards. Parameters for HSE incentive award and recognition could include PPE compliance, Highest number of UA/UC reported, Safe Task completion without LTI, HSE milestones achievement, Best Housekeeping team, etc. Rewards could be in financial bonuses, recognition & awards, gift items, additional hours, etc. Recipients of these HSE recognition will like to sustain it, and others will be encouraged to put in their best in management of HSE.

Im with #5. We already put up with a lot dealing with everyones different personalities to cater to each trade to have them work efficiently. Safety practices need to be followed and whatever the policy is for warnings and removal from site need to be followed. Cut the cancers out to help the job run smooth with the guys who care and are not going to get hurt via negligence.