At Builders Mutual, years of real-world experience has taught us safety is a team effort. For it to be executed daily, upheld under pressure, and strategically evolved to meet the demands of a dynamic job-site, communication isn’t just essential––it’s everything. Recently, we talked with Michael Faith, the Technical Manager of Risk Management at Builders Mutual, about how to foster strong relationships between Risk Managers and Safety Leads to maximize safety on every job-site.
Every company’s approach to safety looks a little different depending on their size, strategy, and resources. At the smallest companies, owners are typically responsible for everything. Mid-sized companies often have personnel who wear multiple hats, balancing HR and safety needs. And the bigger companies get, the more they’re able to dedicate talent––or entire teams––to safety.
When companies have a dedicated Safety Lead (or full team), they serve as the face of safety for the company. This involves developing policies, enforcing procedures, and often using a third party to rate the safety program so they can continuously improve their efforts. Having a relationship between whoever’s in charge of safety on the ground and whoever’s insuring the company behind the scenes sets contractors up for success––and safer outcomes.
How Your Risk Manager/Safety Lead Relationship Improves Safety
1. Clearer communication overall
Prioritizing a direct relationship between Risk Managers and Safety Leads reduces the chances important information gets lost in translation. With fewer links in the chain, critical details are more likely to get in front of the people who need to be in the know.
2. More experts managing your risk
For company-side employees, the pursuit of safety can feel lonely. Management is busy, contractors have work to do, and not everyone speaks the language of PPEs and JSAs. Risk Managers can act as a teammate or mentor to Safety Leads, serving as one more expert to bounce ideas off, analyze strategy, and make real-time recommendations.
3. Helping stakeholders see the value of safety
Safety is a costly endeavor for any organization. And despite its importance, it can be hard to convince leadership to make expensive investments. Risk Managers can work closely with Safety Leads to help present the benefits of different safety equipment or programs.
How to Make the Most Out of Your Risk Manager/Safety Lead Relationship
Every relationship takes work. Those between Risk Managers and Safety Leads are no different. Here are some tips for ensuring yours is as mutually beneficial as possible:
1. Get to know each other
Being open and honest about your history will help your Risk Manager understand who you are, where you come from, and what perspective you’re using to address safety needs.
2. Identify challenges together
Challenges aren’t a negative––they’re an opportunity to change course and prevent mishaps down the road. Pointing out weaknesses as you see them will help you turn them into strengths, together. And remember: Everything is a suggestion.
3. Make every conversation worthwhile
Anytime you connect, there’s an opportunity to learn. Embrace a growth mindset and allow Risk Managers to provide value through training, resources, opinions, and more.
4. Communicate openly and regularly
The more in touch you are, the more in sync you’ll be when assessing, improving, and enforcing safety standards. When possible, coordinate on-site job visits each month so Risk Managers can get a front-row view of what’s happening day to day. Maintain an open-door policy that makes it easy for either party to initiate conversations as concerns arise.
5. Give it time
Powerful relationships aren’t built overnight. Trust grows over the years, and the longer relationships go on, the more advantageous they become.
At Builders Mutual, we believe safety is built through partnership. If you’re looking for help developing or finessing your safety program, we’ve got your back. Reach out to your Risk Management Consultant today to learn more about the resources and support we provide.
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