When general contractors hire subcontractors to perform work at construction projects, these companies usually go through a rigorous selection process. Safety professionals have integrated into this selection process as well, and collect information that is usually lagging in nature — Experience Modification Rate (EMR), OSHA incident rates and OSHA citations typically top the list. Some questionnaires dig a little deeper. For example, does the sub-contractor have a comprehensive safety plan or specific program?
Questions like this are all well and good but historical, often lagging indicator, data doesn’t tell a complete story. Absence of injuries doesn’t necessarily equate to working safely; it could merely indicate luck. Existence of safety programs doesn’t indicate adherence to those plans. A thorough vetting of contractor safety is needed to ensure they are actually working safely once they step foot onto your project site.