Growing a successful business in the construction industry requires more than just profits. Ensuring the safety of your workers and clients should be a top priority. Damian Lang, CEO of Lang Masonry Contractors, Buckeye Construction & Restoration, Wolf Creek Contracting, EZG Manufacturing, Malta Dynamics, and 3 Promise Labor Services, shares his insights on how safety affects the success of a construction company.
The Importance of Consistently Safe Work for Success in Construction
Consistently practicing safe work is crucial for success in the construction industry. According to Lang, a sound safety program helps to retain employees and clients and can keep your business from going under. The most successful construction companies prioritize safety above all else and are rewarded with industry respect, work opportunities, and, ultimately, financial success.
The Value of Safety in Construction
Lang emphasizes that safety is an essential component of any construction project. Neglecting it can result in worker injuries, lawsuits, and even fatalities that hurt your reputation, morale and, ultimately, bottom line. When you are proactive about safety, your employees are productive and motivated, and your clients are confident in your ability to complete their project with excellence.
The Fastest Way to Go Out of Business in Construction
Lang shares his personal experience of almost going out of business due to safety violations on his job sites. His previous employer did not prioritize safety, and this resulted in many safety issues, leading to high worker’s compensation premiums and lost work opportunities. General Contractors, aware of his track record regarding safety, started declining to work with him, which nearly led him to bankruptcy. This experience revealed to him that neglecting safety can lead to critical safety failures, which can hurt your business reputation and ultimately lead to bankruptcy.
Leadership and Safety in Construction
Lang emphasizes that safety is a leadership issue that starts at the top. A safety program that leaders and employees execute is vital to making job sites safe, and the program’s success depends on everyone participating in safety initiatives. Therefore, leaders should push everyone to embrace safety by leading by example, setting high safety expectations, and monitoring the progress of safety efforts.
Investing in Safety First
Lang believes that investing in safety should be a priority rather than a luxury. Prioritizing safety means that you care about your employees’ well-being and, by extension, your business’s success. Therefore, Investing in well-fitted safety equipment that provides adequate protection and is appropriate, training them properly, and advocating for safety awareness and action at all times, can create a culture of continuous improvement that directly translates to success in the industry.
Making Safety a Priority in Construction
Safety products have developed over the years into more innovative and, in some cases, more affordable equipment that can keep employees protected. The use of field-tested, field-approved safety equipment is vital. Lang’s Malta Dynamics prioritizes employee safety and has been a reliable safety equipment provider since 2015. Due to their reputation for providing excellent safety equipment that is field-tested and approved, their reputation in the industry has grown, and they have become one of the fastest-growing safety companies in the world.
About Malta Dynamics
Malta Dynamics is a safety equipment supplier that has been field-tested and approved by Lang’s team of workers extensively. With over eight years of experience in producing safety equipment, their XSERIES Mobile Grabbers have solved fall protection issues that workers previously had to manage with improper equipment or none at all. Malta’s safety products include harnesses, lifelines, anchors, and PPE products, all designed to make job sites safer for everyone who uses the equipment regularly.
Thank You and Stay Safe
Lang wraps up his tip by reminding everyone to prioritize safety to ensure the success of their businesses and operation sites. Safety is the key to the sustainability of a business in the construction industry. Empowering and investing in your employees’ safety means investing in the longevity of your business operation.
About Damian Lang and His Companies
Damian Lang has been in the construction industry for 40 years and is the CEO of several companies that specialize in different industries, including Wolf Creek Contracting, Buckeye Construction & Restoration, 3 Promise Labor Services, EZG Manufacturing, and Malta Dynamics. Each of these companies has a unique focus, but they all prioritize safety to ensure their employees’ and clients’ well-being.
FAQs
1. Why is safety essential in the construction industry?
Construction sites are often dangerous environments where employees are exposed to multiple risks on a daily basis. Prioritizing safety can ensure that employees are protected, leading to higher morale, more productivity, and a better company reputation. Moreover, neglecting safety could lead to site accidents, lawsuits, and bankruptcy.
2. What is the fastest way for a construction company to go out of business?
Not prioritizing safety can be a fast route to bankruptcy. Neglecting safety causes employees, clients, and regulatory authorities to lose confidence in the company. This could lead to lawsuits, loss of clients, workers opting for safer companies, and a tarnished reputation that could ultimately lead to loss of business.
3. Does investing in safety equipment and training add value to a construction project?
Yes. Investing in safety equipment and training directly translates into a safer work environment, less time spent making critical safety-related decisions, and an improved company reputation. Clients often appreciate a company’s commitment to safety, making it easier for them to trust their contractors and partners on site.
