Construction safety is a top issue that necessitates a shift in thinking and approach to properly manage hazards and safeguard workers. Traditional safety indicators, such as the recordable incident rate, have been widely used, but they only reveal part of the story. To effectively enhance safety results, contractors must look beyond this data and focus on detecting and mitigating high-risk exposures that could result in significant injuries or fatalities.
Meet David Tibbetts, Chief Safety Officer at Highwire. A certified safety professional with more than 20 years of occupational safety experience in both general industry and construction settings. He assists hiring partners at High Wire in identifying, managing, and reducing risks posed by contracting partners on building projects and in already-existing operational facilities by using their portfolio of software solutions. He joined us today to talk about the importance of a proactive safety culture, beyond mere compliance, focusing on both leading and lagging indicators.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[01.05] How safety became David’s passion.
[02.05] Building better relationships with owners.
[03.33] The importance of building a strong safety culture.
[05.27] The importance of a robust inspection program.
[06.38] Building a powerful inspection structure.
[08.11] The balance between recognizing good performance and addressing safety concerns.
[11.07] Mitigating garbage data.
[15.19] Understanding prequalification.
[21.11] The value of having practical experience in both the general contractor and owner sides of construction.
[22.06] The role of technology in facilitating different aspects of construction delivery.
[24.09] The importance of looking beyond traditional safety metrics.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
If you're working with an involved owner, take advantage of that opportunity to foster a collaborative environment.
Don't overlook the need for strong leadership and management systems that enable the execution of safety programs.
Implement a robust inspection program and track the data consistently.
Ensure your inspection program is seen as a tool for growth and improvement, not just as a way to point out mistakes.
When reviewing inspection data, look for patterns that suggest your program might be missing unsafe behaviors or high-risk activities.
Approach prequalification with a mindset of collaboration rather than elimination.
RESOURCES
Connect with David
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/david-f-tibbetts-csp-91abb615
Website - highwire.com
THE SHIFT
Imagine making the shift from building projects to truly leading people.
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