CONSTRUCTION
Ensuring Safety For New Workers In Construction
BY : BRITTANY MEADOWS MBA , CLCS , CLIENT ADVISOR
eye of cybercriminals . Most construction companies store clients ’ and employees ’ sensitive Personally Identifiable Information ( PII ), including names , addresses , and financial information . As a result , cyber breaches in construction are increasing dramatically each year , with social engineering and ransomware being the most prominent types of attack . Be sure to talk to an advisor to assess your risk levels so you can put the proper protocols in place for your employees to follow . Having a cyber liability policy adds an additional layer of protection for your business .
PARTNER WITH TRADE ORGANIZATIONS
You don ’ t have to reinvent the wheel . Trade organizations are a ready resource for toolbox talks along with offering skills training and OSHA-compliant certification programs . In fact , you could earn credits or discounts on workers ’ compensation and other insurance coverage rates by meeting safety standards .
BEYOND BUILDING
BY : BROOKE SHARBAUGH CLCS , CLIENT ADVISOR
Expect more change as the industry continues to evolve . To help reclaim your peace of mind , address new risks and close coverage gaps with professional insurance , cyber insurance , and employment practices liability insurance ( EPLI ), which covers potential Wage and Hour violations . If you don ’ t have a risk manager or dedicated human resources director , reach out to your insurance advisor for help updating your handbook and to discuss which certifications could elevate your safety rating , improve workplace health , and minimize costs . Remember , your insurance advisor is a go-to you can rely on to partner with trade organizations , training experts , and more . +
Brittany Meadows joined Deeley Insurance Group in 2019 and is a third-generation insurance agent . She enjoys spending time with family and being outside . 410.213.5633 • bmeadows @ deeleyinsurance . com
During Brooke Sharbaugh ' s decade in the hospitality industry , she learned the ins and outs that she now applies to the commercial insurance world . She lives in West Ocean City and enjoys spending time on the beach . 410.213.5588 • bsharbaugh @ deeleyinsurance . com
Nearly one-third of work-related , nonfatal injuries involve employees who have been on the job less than a year , according to a report published in 2020 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics . Of those , nearly 70,000 workers were employed in construction and extraction occupations and averaged 10 days away from work .
The key risk factor seems to be newness , not necessarily youth . A “ new ” worker can be any age and includes those who are :
• new to the workplace or location ;
• facing hazards that have changed while they were absent from work ; or
• working in a new location / company that has different hazards than their previous job or place of employment .
WHY ARE NEW WORKERS AT GREATER RISK OF INJURY ? New workers may be :
• performing unfamiliar tasks ;
• unsure about their safety rights and responsibilities ;
• uncomfortable speaking up about hazards or asking questions ; and / or
• unable to understand safety instructions in the language that they are given .
HOW CAN EMPLOYERS KEEP NEW WORKERS SAFE ?
• adopt a safety culture ;
• develop a written safety program ;
• include safety training in new hire orientation ;
• assign supervisors to mentor new employees ; and
• encourage a buddy system .
Safety training is especially important in construction . Construction employers should cover topics specific to the safety risks of their operation and as required by OSHA . Supervisors play a key role in training and mentoring newly hired employees . Supervisors can have significant influence on how workers behave in the workplace and have an opportunity to set a good safety example when working alongside new workers . +
This article was provided by Chesapeake Employers ’ Insurance Company , Maryland ’ s largest writer of workers ’ compensation insurance .
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