A well-run safety program doesn’t just protect your construction team—it protects your bottom line. Yet even the most experienced companies can fall into common safety pitfalls that lead to preventable injuries, failed inspections, and costly project delays.
At Parker Safety Group, we’ve seen firsthand how safety programs fall short—and how small changes can make a big difference. Here are 5 of the most common safety mistakes we encounter and how your team can avoid them.
1. Treating Safety as a One-Time Event
Safety training shouldn’t be a “set it and forget it” task. One of the biggest mistakes companies make is thinking a single training session or orientation is enough to ensure jobsite safety.
Fix it:
Make safety part of your daily and weekly routine. Incorporate ongoing toolbox talks, site audits, and real-time feedback into your operations. Repetition builds awareness—and action builds habits.
2. Failing to Involve Supervisors and Crew Leaders
If your frontline leaders don’t believe in the safety plan, your workers won’t either. Safety isn’t just a corporate policy—it’s a culture. And that culture starts with supervisors.
Fix it:
Train crew leaders to model safe behavior and give them ownership in enforcing safety standards. Parker Safety Group often works directly with supervisors to build leadership buy-in that lasts.
3. Not Updating Safety Plans as Conditions Change
Job sites evolve daily—and so should your safety protocols. Companies often overlook new hazards that arise from schedule shifts, weather, equipment changes, or subcontractor activity.
Fix it:
Perform regular jobsite safety walks and review your site-specific safety plan weekly. We help clients spot gaps they didn’t realize were there.
4. Underestimating the Power of Documentation
If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen—at least in OSHA’s eyes. Many companies neglect to properly record trainings, inspections, near-misses, or incident investigations.
Fix it:
Create a digital or paper-based system for logging safety activity. Parker Safety Group helps clients set up OSHA-compliant safety documentation systems that are easy to maintain and ready for inspection.
5. Only Reacting After an Incident Occurs
Some companies wait for a citation or injury before taking safety seriously. By then, it’s too late. A reactive approach costs far more than proactive prevention.
Fix it:
Schedule a third-party safety audit before OSHA shows up. Parker Safety Group performs independent audits and site safety reviews that identify issues early and provide action plans to correct them fast.
How Parker Safety Group Can Help
We specialize in helping New England construction companies:
- Build safety programs from the ground up
- Improve buy-in from management and crews
- Stay OSHA-compliant and audit-ready
- Prevent injuries and reduce risk
- Train supervisors and subcontractors
Whether you’re starting fresh or just need a second opinion, we’re here to help.
Is your safety program working as well as it should?
Let Parker Safety Group take a look. Contact us today to schedule a safety consultation or jobsite audit.