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Construction Safety: 6 Essentials When Hiring a Contractor

The construction industry has the highest injury rate of any industry in BC. In 2022, nearly 15,000 construction workers lost time due to injury, and almost 1,800 of those injuries resulted in permanent disability. An injury on the job site impacts everyone – the worker, the company, and the property owner. For peace of mind, minimizing risk and liability, and prioritizing construction safety are crucial when choosing a construction firm or building maintenance company.

A company’s safety protocols protect its workers first and foremost, but they also serve to protect its clients from liability. When choosing a contractor and assessing a company’s construction safety program, consider these six essential safety standards:

Construction Safety: 6 Essentials Before Hiring a Contractor

#1 WorkSafeBC

You might be surprised at the number of construction companies in BC that are not in good standing with WorkSafeBC. WorkSafeBC premiums, in particular for construction, are expensive, and financially unstable companies may have trouble keeping up. Before hiring a company, you can ask for their WorkSafeBC clearance letter, which will show their status with WorkSafeBC. You can also conduct this search yourself on WorkSafeBC’s website. If the clearance letter shows a “delinquent” status it means the company has not paid their premiums. You insist a company pay their premium before working on your job site to be sure all parties are fully protected.

#2 Liability Insurance

All construction companies must carry liability insurance to protect the company and its clients if an injury or damage occurs on a job site. Standard liability policies range from $2,000,000 – $5,000,000 in liability, with many companies carrying $10,000,000 in liability or more. You can request a certificate of insurance before working with a construction firm, and your company can also be listed as additionally insured to add another layer of liability coverage.

#3 Construction Safety Manual

Any construction company serious about safety will have a detailed safety manual. These comprehensive documents, often hundreds of pages, outline a company’s safety protocols, policies, and procedures. You can request a copy of their safety manual for review, or at the very least, ask if they have one. You might be surprised how many companies don’t.

Many aspects of construction work related to safety require certifications. Construction safety certifications range from short online courses or robust and specialized in-person programs. Any legitimate construction company will ensure its workers are certified in the following areas:

  • WHMIS
  • Workplace Violence and Harassment
  • Fall Protection
  • First Aid
  • Heavy Machinery Operations like aerial equipment

For peace of mind, you can request copies of these certifications before working with a contractor.

#5 PPE or Personal Protective Equipment

PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment.  PPE are items that construction workers utilize to reduce injuries on job sites. Standard PPE includes eye and ear protection, gloves, hard hats, high-visibility vests, and steel-toed boots. Other items like respirators and certain clothing items may also be required on certain sites. PPE is essential for job site safety and to reduce the impact of potential injuries on the job site. Professional construction and building maintenance companies will have PPE standards in place.

#6 Daily Hazard Assessments

Construction job sites change from day to day: the weather changes and new equipment and materials arrive as the job progresses from stage to stage. Each of these changes impacts safety. Legitimate construction or building renewal companies conduct daily safety assessments. These five-to-ten-minute meetings ensure that the entire crew is aware of any new hazards on the site, put a plan in place, and go a long way toward minimizing workplace injuries.

When considering a construction or building maintenance contractor, their safety records, policies, and procedures are an important part of the equation. Ensure they have a strong safety record by verifying their WorkSafeBC compliance, liability insurance, safety manual, certifications, use of PPE, and daily hazard assessments. A safety-conscious contractor may be more expensive (safety protocols require overhead), but ultimately choosing a contractor with a proper safety program gives you peace of mind and can save catastrophic injuries, liability, and expense once your project begins.

If you have questions about construction safety or would like to learn about WCP Building Renewal’s safety standards, you can reach us at [email protected] or 604-420-5552. One of our representatives will be happy to answer your questions.

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