ABC Safety Performance Report Highlights Ways to Reduce Incidents

It is possible for companies to achieve world-class safety and work to make jobsites injury-free. The 2019 ABC Safety Performance Report provides guidance with proactive measures in an effort to reduce the number of incidents by 85 percent.

What to use to improve

The fifth annual report uses unique data gathered submitted by ABC member companies that deployed STEP in 2018. Industry safety performance tracks 35 data points and is often measured using lagging indicators such as the total recordable incidents rate (TRIR); days away, restricted or transferred (DART) rate regarding an injured employee’s time away from work; and experience modification rate (EMR), which measures a company’s risk compared to the average.

Safety performance isn’t reflected in what they did. It’s reflected in what they are doing.The report shows it’s possible for a company to be 680 percent safer than the industry average.

Among the findings:

• Companies that conduct a biannual safety program performance review are about 60 percent safer.
• Among the eight core leading indicators that had the most dramatic impact on safety performance in 2018, daily toolbox safety talks were the most effective—reducing TRIR by 85 percent compared to monthly sessions.
• One-third of all jobsite incidents are connected to drug or alcohol use; participants with a robust substance abuse program/policy in place dramatically outperformed those with a weaker program, reducing their TRIR by 60 percent.
•  C-suite engagement and commitment matters. Companies with high-level managers directly and actively participating in the safety program have a 63 percent TRIR reduction and 64 percent DART reduction.
• New hire safety programs are important. Companies that thoroughly and consistently train new employees in safety culture, systems and processes cut their TRIR and DART rates by more than half compared to companies that stick to basic compliance topics.
• A formal process to annually assess the needs and goals of a safety program, by developing action plans, tracking progress and soliciting feedback, decreased incidents by 48 percent.

Help here at home

It has been said that “every incident, every accident on every project, everyday is entirely avoidable.” Taking steps outlined by ABC can get you there. The Southern California Contractors are also here to help.  SCCA Safety Committee focuses on the areas of safety and environmental compliance as it affects members.

SCCA members are encouraged to attend monthly meetings that serve as an open forum to address lessons learned from the industry, as well as looking at best practices used by others. Additionally, tap into the many Safety Resources supplied by the SCCA Safety Committee members and find more information to guide you.