Plant Managers – Friday Plant Walk – Contractor Safety

Today’s walk-through talks about contractor safety and setting expectations.

Do this one early in the day. I’m not saying your contractors knock off early on Fridays, but – do this one early.

Do you have contractors working in your plant? Installing equipment, doing upgrades, or repairs?

Do they follow the same safety rules as your employees?

Are your folks comfortable engaging with the contractors, making them aware of the requirements, and ensuring they follow the rules?

Are you?

Or do you look the other way when that contractor is not wearing ear plugs/safety glasses/gloves, not tied off in the lift, using a ladder unsafely, or just leaving a mess at the end of the day? If your contractors are gone before you get out there today (I warned you), did they clean up their work area?

Why is contractor safety as important to you as the safety of your own employees? Isn’t that the contracting company’s responsibility? Yes, AND it is yours too! If they’re under my roof, they’re under my care. Think of contractors as house guests. If you don’t feel that way, here’s another reason. If a contractor gets severely injured today at your site, and the news is reporting it, what’s the headline? “A worker was seriously injured today at [YOUR COMPANY NAME.] A spokesman for [YOUR COMPANY NAME] said…” It’s not the contractor’s company name; it’s yours.

As a plant manager, if you don’t set the expectation, who will?

• Don’t look the other way. If they’re not following your requirements, intervene. Ask questions. Show concern for their safety. If they’re not wearing ear plugs, hand them a pair. If they’re not tied off, ask them, “Hey, do you guys need a harness?” If they’re leaving a mess, “Can you guys take a few minutes and clean this up? Thanks!” Be nice. Until it’s time to not be nice. (I apologize for everything being a movie reference. Actually, I’m not that sorry.)
• Make sure the contractor lead/foreman/owner knows the expectations.
• Set an expectation with your own employees: HSE, line supervisors, etc. If they’re not comfortable intervening at first, they will be, after they get some more reps. If you have to, give them permission to use you as the bad guy. “Hey Earl. My PM is going to chew my butt if they come out here and see you not wearing these ear plugs. Here ya go.”

It takes time to establish an environment where your employees are comfortable intervening. After a while, your contractors will understand you are looking out for their safety. You’re helping them go home safe. If a contractor, like an employee, can’t eventually understand that they don’t belong there.

With a mature safety culture, someone not following the rules will stand out like a football player not wearing his helmet. “But coach, it’s hot, it messes up my hair, and I can’t see the ball.”

Have a good weekend.