Construction accidents are typically preventable with the right safety procedures put into place. Every worker who comes to the site should be well-versed in safety precautions to take and wearing the correct safety gear.
The trouble often occurs when a third party arrives at the scene. This new team of workers may not be trained on the same machinery or tools as others, and their safety education could be less significant than yours, too. So, how can you avoid an injury caused by a third party?
Be clear about expectations and say something when mistakes are made
The first thing you should do is speak with at least one person who is part of the third-party agency. Discuss the rules on your worksite and speak up if they’re doing something that could put themselves or others in danger. Catching mistakes early on could help prevent an accident and save a life.
Report dangerous behaviors
Another thing you can do is to report dangerous behaviors to your supervisor or the owner of your company right away. Any independent workers hired to work with you should still abide by the rules of your company and the safety procedures that you implement. Shortcuts and changes to the normal work flow could cause accidents, injuries or fatalities.
Finally, remember that if you are a third-party or independent contractor and working with a site supervisor who is not your employer, they will not be paying workers’ compensation if you get hurt. You’ll need to pursue a claim directly against the other independent worker or team that harmed you.
