Experience Files

Safety often lingers in the back of our minds until that jarring moment: a call from the field, an employee is injured. In that instant, we all wish we'd prioritized safe work over speed. The common, and often mistaken, response that follows is, "But I have worker's compensation, everything will be fine, right?."

Let's be VERY clear:

1. No one ever wants to see someone hurt on a project.

2. OSHA requires notification within 24 hours for any injury requiring hospitalization, or resulting in the loss of an eye or limb. If an injury leads to an employee's death, you have just 8 hours to notify them.

3. If you withhold appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from your employees with the excuse that "The insurance company ain't gonna pay for that," keep that opinion to yourself. Providing necessary PPE is a fundamental responsibility of employers, regardless of compensation.

4. While your employees might sometimes seem indifferent to safety, remember who will sue you for non-compliance if a serious injury occurs: they will. If an employee consistently refuses to work safely, it's best to let them take that risk and non-compliance to another company.

Ultimately, your goal should be to reduce your liability and ensure everyone goes home safe. Prioritizing safety isn't just about compliance; it's about protecting your people and your business from devastating consequences.