Managing risk through pre-planning

The importance of safety on the job obviously cannot be overstressed. One factor in the determination of the successful completion of a project is a loss free experience. Specifically I'm referring to losses in terms of worker safety as it relates to workers compensation. Quite obviously we go into a job hoping that our employees are able to perform their tasks without any man hours lost to trips to the hospital. While this is self evident, worker safety is not something accomplished without thorough preparation before the start of the job, training of employees in proper safety methods, and active follow up and review during the actual job itself. Before a project starts, most likely at the bid stage, it is a good idea to thoroughly review the job and break it down into stages and address the specific actions necessary on the part of the employees to complete each particular stage. Each stage should be reviewed and the proper execution of tasks should be mapped out in careful detail clearly stating the proper and safe way to complete each task with an eye towards minimal employee hazard exposure. Once this "roadmap" is executed, it is a good idea to review procedures with employees prior to the start of the project and to continuously follow up during each phase to ensure all steps are done in accordance with your plan. After all, it's human nature to try and skip some steps once in a while in order to save or make up for lost time. More often than not, the time spent in the preplanning stages of a new project will usually mitigate costly mistakes and employee injury during the execution of your job.