Consultants Can Be Safe, Too - A Collaborative Approach-Paper

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The paper describes Haley & Aldrich’s effort to improve field safety by making it part of everyday technical work rather than treating it as a separate compliance function. Following rising injury rates and a potentially serious utility strike, the firm identified key weaknesses: staff lacked sufficient “risk competence,” safety was seen as someone else’s responsibility, and existing policies offered limited practical guidance.<br /><br />The company adopted a collaborative, bottom-up approach. Experienced field staff took part in job hazard analyses, sharing lessons from near misses and identifying practical ways to reduce risks. Contractors also helped consultants understand how activities such as drilling and pile installation are performed, what hazards operators face, and when inspectors may be exposed. Near-miss reporting was made easier through mobile tools, and lessons were shared with staff and contractor partners.<br /><br />The firm integrated safety guidance into technical “field guides” developed by committees of field practitioners, safety staff, and other experts. These guides combine task instructions, equipment and PPE checklists, hazards and controls, and technical interpretation. They support new-staff training, supplemented by field practice, contractor-led demonstrations, realistic scenarios, and ongoing peer mentoring.<br /><br />The authors report stronger staff engagement, improved communication and contractor relationships, greater confidence among newer staff, and increased willingness to raise safety concerns. Near-miss reporting rose by 82 percent, while recordable incident and other safety metrics improved. The paper concludes that shared ownership and collaboration help consultants and contractors better understand and mitigate risks, and that safety is most effective when integrated into how work is planned and performed.

Keywords

field safety

risk competence

job hazard analysis

near-miss reporting

utility strike

field guides

PPE checklists

contractor collaboration

technical work

shared ownership