Published October 1, 2024
Building an effective safety program from scratch is time-consuming and challenging, particularly for smaller construction companies that don’t have safety experts on staff.
An entire industry exists to provide OSHA-compliant safety training. But even knowing what kind of training and support to offer can be a roadblock for many contracting businesses. And a real safety program involves more than that; it includes managing processes, keeping records and benchmarking results, among other disciplines.
So how can a construction business add the structure that differentiates a list of safety training courses from a safety program?
The most accessible approach may be through the STEP Safety Management System, from the national trade association Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Designed for any kind of construction business, from small subcontractors to large GC’s, the STEP program provides a framework to:
Development of STEP (Safety Training and Evaluation Process) began in 1989 and has been ongoing ever since. It’s built for all types of construction business, irrespective of size or specialty, and offers “an organized approach for analyzing and developing safety and loss prevention programs,” according to ABC.
Other non-profit organizations offer free or low-cost safety consultations, but STEP seems unique as end-to-end system for every stage of the safety journey.
The framework is free to use, though participants will take on the cost of whatever training and improvements they implement. ABC claims the safety record of STEP participants is 688% higher than the industry average; and their OSHA Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) is 85% lower.
The program offers a structured approach, with a step-by-step guide to audit or create a safety program that addresses all of the critical elements – from management and leadership to training to processes to inspection and compliance.
It incorporates industry best practices and aligns with OSHA regulations, according to ABC. It also includes a benchmarking program so businesses can measure their own safety performance against recognized standards.
And, of course, participants have access to a variety of resources that include training materials, safety audits and expert guidance that would be difficult to compile independently.
Finally, the framework promotes a culture of continuous improvement – encouraging businesses to regularly review and enhance their safety practices.
After submitting an application form, companies begin with an initial self-assessment to identify the current state of their safety practices. The assessment is done through an online portal, and will require some fact-finding and research.
Based on the assessment results, companies follow program guidelines that cover various aspects of safety management, including hazard communication, emergency preparedness and training.
Throughout implementation, the program asks for periodic evaluations and then offers feedback to address deficiencies and emerging needs.
Companies that demonstrate significant improvements and maintain high safety standards receive STEP recognition at regional and national events – which can be helpful in marketing, bidding on jobs and in some cases reducing insurance rates.
Participants are placed in any of six tiers depending on results of their assessment and annual activity – Participant, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. This does more than set a target for participants; it allows them to benchmark not only against like companies, but against companies that at a similar place in their safety journey.
Information provided by participants is held confidential, and is only available in aggregated form for measurement purposes. Participants are allowed to keep their tiered rating unpublished if they prefer.
Founded in 1950, ABC represents more than 23,000 members in 67 chapters nationwide, according to the ABC website. Most Best Supply locations are in or near metro areas that have ABC chapters.
For more information about the STEP Safety Management System, visit abc.org/ABCSTEP. Here are some other readily available resources for construction businesses looking to build or improve upon safety programs:
OSHA On-Site Consultation Program: Offers free, confidential consultations by consultants from state agencies or universities to identify and address hazards and improve safety.
National Safety Council Assessments: Offers on-site safety consultation and assessment.
Best Supply receives no consideration for providing this information and does not endorse STEP or other safety programs. We are deeply committed to the safety of our associates, our customers and their employees, and offer this information as a helpful resource.
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