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Veidekke subcontractors often constitute a large proportion of employees on construction projects. When something happens on a construction site, they are often involved. It is therefore crucial that subcontractors are included in HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) efforts. In this way, shared responsibility is created for the project and each other, as well as a safe and good workplace.
Veidekke has always involved subcontractors in the development of safety rules and practices on building sites. More recently, Veidekke chose to work even more actively on involvement, so that the contractors feel even more a part of the project site. Veidekke’s employees often meet the same contractors on various projects. In doing so, they get to know each other and can better build a good working atmosphere.
Three important goals
Closer cooperation on HMS has three goals: to avoid accidents and near accidents; to raise the quality of work on health, working environment and safety on project sites in general; and to provide better communication and exchange of experience in this competency area. The most important thing is that no one injures them self, and that all employees return home whole and satisfied after each working day – subcontractors included. This is an important objective for Veidekke, and applies to all of Scandinavia.
Safety should not be perceived as a control measure, but rather as an advisory factor contributing to a good and safe workplace for everyone. Preventative efforts such as working evaluations and risk analyses, organising of projects, welfare promotion, awareness of how we treat and talk to each other, planning and involvement – are all connected and create the complete experience of each working day. An established, good cooperation and openness are also extremely important if, against all hopes, something should happen. Good dialogue and respect for each other's roles and responsibilities increases project quality at all points.
Involvement in practice
Each project is unique and must be treated as such when procedures and guidelines around HSE are developed. It may be, for example, necessary to speak specifically with contractors who have responsibility for risky parts of projects. Such a meeting would provide a good starting point and help to create common views on security.
It is nevertheless appropriate to have developed working processes that function regardless of project type. When cooperating with major subcontractors, it is routine to call in those who are responsible for HSE to meet with one or two employees on the project, the construction manager and others involved. The meeting takes place on the construction site and they discuss how to work with the HSE on the given project, analyses of risks, and agree on which policies and procedures apply. An important point is to discuss what expectations they have of each other. The aim of these meetings is to meet and build a common understanding and trust of each other.
On the Kullagulla project in Sweden, cooperation began by calling in all people to a meeting in which they went through Veidekke’s common values (Veidekkehuset) and worked in groups on HSE. The result was good discussion and engagement around the topic. Feedback from subcontractors reported that they were very positive to this way of cooperating and creating a common platform from which to work. This initiative has since been followed-up by monthly HSE meetings in which a representative from each occupational group in the workplace is present. At these meetings, results from inspections and future work involving special risks or factors that must be taken into account, were discussed. Working in this way ensures that important issues are identified and important discussions are held in advance.
On the Kullagulla project, we experience that the dialogue created through participative planning on HSE work, strengthens the relationships between people - on other parts of the project as well. This helps to motivate employees and improve project profitability.
An injury-free Veidekke
To support closer collaboration on HSE, Veidekke’s HSE managers regularly visit project sites. Through this, we identify where extra support and focus are needed. Veidekke also works closely with elected working environment representatives and trade unions in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. They often have important input and can contribute with expertise on particular challenges.
Veidekke believes that closer subcontractor involvement will create increased job satisfaction and commitment – which in turn will have positive effects on HSE efforts. People experience that they are an integral part their project and that they are better involved in important issues. If HSE functions as it should, sickness absence will also be positively affected.