Core Elements of a Contractor’s Safety Program – Hiring and Training

Hiring and Training

Our work force is our most valuable and important asset. We want to select qualified employees. Once hired, thorough training and education is paramount to understand our objectives and acquire the skills to safely perform the job. 

Prospective Employees

–  Each prospective employee will fill out an employment application.

–  Each prospective employee will receive a personal interview either by our human resources department or a supervisor. 

–  A phone call reference check will be made of the prospective employee’s previous employers.

–  If the employee is expected to drive a company vehicle or drive their own vehicle on company business, even occasionally, they must fill out the auto section of the employment application. State motor vehicle reports will be required and reviewed. Contact your local DMV for obtaining motor vehicle reports (MVRs). Note our selection criteria for drivers and our base-line expectations for new and existing drivers.

–  Physical exams will be required for all positions pending an offer of employment, consistent with ADA regulations and the physical demands of the job. Actual commencement of the job is based on successfully passing this exam including a negative drug screen. Physical exam criteria are based on job descriptions that have identified critical physical demands to fulfill the specific job requirements.

–  Drug screening and physical exams. All detail of the exams will remain within files of our human resources department.

–  Job descriptions will be updated every three years with input from a superintendent and the safety coordinator. They must reflect the actual critical job demands, as well as cognitive skills employees must have to hold a given position. Our treating occupational physician must also be consulted to provide essential detail into the final description. These will then be used to base future physical exams and work re-entry criteria from work place injuries for modified duty adjustments.

New Employee Safety Orientation and Training

A key element in our safety program is the initial training of employees. They need to know the company safety program, policy, and rules in order to develop the proper safety attitude and safe work procedures. 

The following areas are to be covered in the new employee’s orientation: 

–  Safety program endorsement and commitment of your company, including the role employees play, their responsibility, and how these are enforced.

–  Company safety expectations of the work force, supervisors and management; and how employees are held accountable for safe work performance.

–  Incident reporting procedures, including the need for prompt reporting to their supervisor. 

–  Injury management and transitional duty plan for employees recovering from work place incidents.

–  Safety organization and functions.

–  Specific personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

–  First-aid procedures: use of first-aid responders as a primary contact and bloodborne pathogen protection.

–  Review of the company emergency disaster preparedness plan.

–  Disciplinary action for not following company safety policies and rules. 

–  The employee safety orientation checklist should be completed by the supervisor and placed in the employee’s file.

Please contact us at (425)212-3505 for your Contractors Insurance Quote.

Source: Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.