police force that can foresee criminal activity before it happens and subsequently prevent it from happening. Think of your safety program along the same lines. In the movie, it is called “pre-crime.” In your safety program, it is called a “leading indicator,” meaning incidents and accidents can be avoided before they happen. As the movie illustrates, we can all see the value of the avoidance of any criminal act before it occurs. So, think of the value of avoiding a safety mishap for your employees, their families and your company before it can occur. The risk is too great to avoid addressing. Creating a Safety Culture But where do you start to create a safety culture? Any safety initiative requires the support of all management personnel for successful implementation. • Begin by building a safety plan and budget into your annual strategic plan. • Ask questions by completing safety assessments with your employees to measure the current safety initiatives in place. This assessment consists of a confidential survey that can be used to allow employees and supervisors to tell you what they think of your program. You can use the resulting information to improve your program, however necessary. This step is critical to establishing a baseline on which to build. • Designate an employee or employees to champion safety and decide together what that role will look like. Creating a Safety Committee consisting of employees, insurance brokers, clients, etc., can have tremendous power. This is a great opportunity to engage your employees, show them you care about them, and a critical step for them to develop and buy into realistic goals. • Join a trade association’s Safety Committee, where the industry comes together to share safety best practices and designate an employee to serve as a member. Another reason to think seriously about safety and how it relates to the growth of your company is that many of Utah’s general contractors think seriously about safety. When hiring subcontractors, they include safety expectations and criteria as part of their selection process. A good safety process and safety record are becoming every bit as important as experience, qualifications and financial history. Be a standout! Set your company apart with a well-developed and managed safety program. Become a partner in safety, not a liability. What Resources Are Available? Insurance companies are risk managers. Reach out to your insurance representative and ask about their risk mitigation program and how they can assist you in developing safety best practices. Directory and Annual Magazine | 7
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