Contractors in New Jersey must contend with many safety issues at their job sites. A survey of contractors published by Dodge Data & Analytics highlights the substantial amount of safety training conducted by construction site supervisors. The majority of companies, at 73%, responded that the responsibility of training onsite workers about safety fell to supervisors.
The four aspects ranked as the most important by contractors confirmed that most safety training occurred on job sites. The involvement of everyone on the job site was the number one factor selected by 84% of respondents. Supervisors with strong talents for safety leadership were considered vital by 83% of contractors, and regular safety meetings between employees and supervisors came in third at 82%. Among contractors, 77% of them cited the importance of continual access to safety training for all workers.
Although contractors largely recognize the value of safety leadership, the survey results suggested that input from employees could play a greater role. Only 50% of contractors directly asked workers for feedback about safety conditions. Workers were only included in safety planning by 39% of employers.
This top-down approach to safety likely arises from the fact that employers have a responsibility to train their workers about safety. When accidents occur, an employer’s workers’ compensation policy is meant to pay the medical expenses of injured workers. A person who needs information about these benefits has the option of consulting an attorney when making a claim. An attorney may provide answers about coverage and access to medical care. At times, especially with subcontracted workers, legal advice may be needed to identify which company bears responsibility for insuring the employee. The support of an attorney might be able to connect a worker with the necessary benefits despite administrative hurdles.