Through the Eyes of the Contractor

How many safety professionals who manage contractor relations have ever been contractors themselves?  Is safety different for contractors than it is for regular employees?  Anyone asking these questions is thinking but probably does not have the answers.  YES!  Safety is different for contractors and those who try to manage it as though it were not quickly lose credibility.  

That does not mean contractors will not placate them and try to make them happy.  It simply means that their directives may be dramatically unrealistic and obviously out of touch with the reality of the task at hand. The sad truth is that safety is not an abstract construct that is universally applicable.  

True safety is highly in tune with the realities of the job, the worker and the workplace.  Safety guidelines that ignore these realities flash a neon light that says “Out of Touch” and labels the originator of them as a complete outsider who is clueless even if the person in charge.   Savvy safety professionals seek out these realities and remain flexible.  Remember the old saying, “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.  In practice, there is!”

-Terry L. Mathis

For more insights, visit www.ProActSafety.com

Terry L. Mathis is the founder and CEO of ProAct Safety, an international safety and performance excellence firm. He is known for his dynamic presentations in the fields of behavioral and cultural safety, leadership, and operational performance, and is a regular speaker at ASSE, NSC, and numerous company and industry conferences. EHS Today listed Terry as a Safety Guru in ‘The 50 People Who Most Influenced EHS in 2010, 2011 and 2012-2013. He has been a frequent contributor to industry magazines for over 15 years and is the coauthor of STEPS to Safety Culture Excellence, 2013, WILEY.