Having a safety manager on the job is essential to keeping employees safe and staying compliant with occupational safety and health regulations.
But when it comes to hiring for this crucial role, many construction companies are faced with the challenge of deciding whether to hire an in-house safety manager or outsource the job to a safety management consultant.
In this blog post, we’re sharing the top 7 reasons why you should consider outsourcing safety management:
1. Substantial Cost Savings
Outsourcing safety management can lead to substantial cost savings for construction companies. By contracting with a third-party safety consultant, construction companies can avoid the costs associated with hiring and maintaining a full-time safety staff.
When you outsource safety management, you don’t have to pay for a full-time salary, health insurance, time off, 401K, training, and professional development costs for an in-house safety manager.
As depicted in the cost comparison chart below, the annual cost savings can be as high as $85,000.
In addition, because safety consultants are typically paid on a monthly or per-project basis, construction companies can save money by only paying for the services when they need them.
As a result of these cost savings, construction companies that outsource their safety management can reinvest those savings into other areas of their business, which can ultimately lead to increased profits.
2. Large Safety Resource Library
Outsourcing safety management can give construction companies a larger safety resource library. This is because safety management firms are experts having worked for many different types of clients and have more resources than in-house safety departments.
Outsourced safety managers have a fresh set of eyes, as well as the experience from working for many different companies and on different types of job sites. They also provide safety checklists, templates, documents, and site-specific safety plans that are pre-made and ready to be customized for each client or job site.
As a result, construction companies can access a greater variety of safety information and resources when they outsource their safety management. This can help them to improve their overall safety performance and avoid potential accidents and injuries.
3. Team of Subject Matter Experts
Another key benefit of outsourcing safety management is having access to a team of subject matter experts. These experts have years of industry experience and can help you develop and implement a comprehensive safety program. They can also provide in-depth guidance on compliance with safety regulations and best practices.
Rather than having just one in-house safety manager, you’ll have access to an entire team of safety experts, which can help construction companies avoid costly accidents and ensure that their projects are completed safely and on schedule.
They will also be able to benefit from the experience and expertise of an established company that has been providing safety services for many years.
4. No Employee Training Required
When you outsource your safety management to a safety consultant, you don’t have to spend time or money training employees. This can be a big benefit for construction companies, as onboarding a new safety manager can often take months and can be costly if extra training or certifications are required.
In addition, an outsourced safety manager can provide training and education to employees on how to safely perform their jobs. This can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, which can save the company money on fines and workers’ compensation claims.
By not having to train new employees, construction companies can save time and money and focus on more important things, like completing projects on time and under budget.
5. No Recruiting or Turnover Costs
Construction companies can also benefit from not having to bear the costs of recruiting or turnover when they outsource their safety management to a safety consultant.
Turnover rates can be high in the construction industry, ultimately leading to added costs for hiring and training a replacement. Outsourcing safety management can be done on a per-project or monthly basis, which means companies only need to pay for the services they need and when they need them.
This can result in increased efficiency and productivity, which can save the company money in the long run.
6. Immediate Start
Outsourcing your safety management to a safety consultant can provide your construction company with a safety manager who is available to start immediately. This can be beneficial for companies that do not have the time or resources to train an internal safety staff.
An outsourced safety manager will be ready to go as soon as their services are required, and up-to-date on all required trainings and certifications. This can save construction companies time and money if they have an immediate need for an upcoming project.
7. Peace of Mind
Construction companies have enough to worry about without having to stress over safety management. Outsourcing this crucial service can give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your employees are safe and your team is in good hands.
Working with a safety management team that understands the construction industry inside and out can help avoid potential hazards before they become accidents. They will also be up-to-date on all the latest OSHA regulations, so you can focus on your core business while leaving the task of safety management to the professionals.
Outsourcing safety management can be a great way for construction companies to improve their safety record while saving time and money, as well as protecting their business from potential liability.
At Safety International, we are committed to providing highly qualified safety managers and have seen firsthand how our clients have benefited from having temporary safety staff. If you have an upcoming need for a safety manager, feel free to contact us today or visit our Safety Staffing page for more information.
