The modern workforce increasingly relies on contractors. The recent Sphera Health and Safety Pulse report revealed that 33% of organizations report contractors make up at least 20% of their workforce, with only 7% reporting no contractor use. As businesses focus on cost-efficiency and specialized skills, outsourcing has become integral.
This shift introduces mounting risks. Contractors often lack full integration into health and safety frameworks, making it harder to maintain consistent standards. Rising scrutiny regarding ESG compliance and operational transparency further complicates matters. Failing to address contractor safety risks can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and operational instability, underscoring the critical need to strengthen safety management systems.
The hidden dangers contractors face daily
Contractors frequently handle high-risk tasks, such as operating heavy machinery or working in hazardous conditions. This makes them more vulnerable to workplace incidents. Additionally, their temporary and project-based employment often results in limited access to safety training and oversight. Contractors are also less likely to internalize a company’s safety culture due to lack of exposure. These factors lead to incidents occurring at rates three to four times higher than for full-time employees.¹ Businesses must recognize these vulnerabilities and adopt proactive strategies to ensure their contractors are equipped and protected within comprehensive safety programs.
Why ignoring contractor safety costs you
Contractor safety management is essential for organizations aiming to reduce risk and achieve operational excellence. Sphera’s Health and Safety Pulse Report unveils that contractors are not yet appropriately included in critical safety programs. Key initiatives like near-miss reporting (64%), incident reporting (63%), safety audits (58%) and inclusion in safety metrics (54%) remain significantly underutilized, underscoring the pressing need for a more integrated approach to contractor safety.
Adding to the urgency, Verdantix reveals that 44% of firms either lack a commercial software solution for supplier or contractor management or rely on outdated systems². This gap not only complicates contractor oversight but also amplifies safety and compliance challenges. Verdantix’s recent Smart Innovators report on contractor safety management reinforces the business case for modernization, emphasizing the value of robust contractor safety programs. These programs excel when they include capabilities like pre-qualification, onboarding, site access control, field auditing, and data-driven analytics.
Together, these findings make a compelling case for immediate action. Organizations must prioritize implementing comprehensive contractor safety strategies to safeguard their workforce, streamline compliance, and reinforce their bottom line. Leading solutions, like those benchmarked by Verdantix, empower firms to address these challenges effectively while aligning safety objectives with broader business goals.
Sphera’s formula to safer contractors
Sphera’s Contractor Safety Management solution elevates contractor safety programs with its innovative three-stage framework, built on visibility, accountability and inclusion. This proven approach integrates contractors into corporate health and safety systems, aligning their standards with those of direct employees to create a cohesive safety culture. Leveraging decades of EHS expertise, Sphera provides organizations with a structured system that reduces risks, enhances operational excellence and drives safety culture in contractor safety management.
Sphera’s commitment to promoting contractor safety has earned it recognition in the recent Verdantix Smart Innovators: Contractor Safety report. Sphera achieved market-leading functionality in Contractor Control of Work and comprehensive functionality, featuring notable innovative elements for Vendor management, Contractor Safety Training, Contractor Site Access Content, On-site Contractor Safety Management, Contractor Field Safety Auditing, Contractor Safety Auditing and Contractor Safety Analytics.
Time to act. Prioritize contractor safety!
Organizations must rethink their contractor safety strategies to align with evolving workforce dynamics. Effective integration starts with robust systems for training, reporting and performance evaluation. Businesses should adopt a structured framework like Sphera’s three-stage approach, focusing on visibility, accountability and inclusion, ensuring contractors meet the same safety standards as full-time employees. In our eBook “Closing the contractor safety gap”, we provide a comprehensive guide to overcoming contractor safety challenges, helping you to protect your workforce while ensuring operational efficiency.
Closing the contractor safety gap
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