Safety Programs in Large Construction Firms

The safety programs of forty-nine of the largest construction companies in the United States were studied, showing which safety practices are most prevalent in large construction companies. Results revealed that although the safety programs tend to be fairly consistent, some companies are more formalized. These more formal programs were associated with better safety performances. Particularly safe records were evidenced in those firms that: (1) Provided a formal orientation for new workers; (2) had field safety personnel that were hired by the corporate safety director; and (3) placed the field safety director in charge of training other safety personnel.