How Behavior-Based Safety Programs Outperform Compliance-Only Approaches

The Minimum: Compliance-Based Safety

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific safety regulations for all phases of construction work. These include such things as equipment requirements for work at height and safety training for specific fields (electrical, welding, operation of heavy equipment, etc.). In addition to these federal requirements, state, county, and local jurisdictions have their own safety codes that builders must follow.

Contractors have a clear incentive to follow these rules—because they risk fines and lawsuits if they don’t. But that’s just the minimum that responsible employers can do. There’s so much more.

The Next Level: Behavior-Based Safety Programs

Construction work is inherently dangerous. Work at height, the use of heavy equipment and large building components, ground that may be uneven or unstable—all these factors make for a risk-prone environment.

It’s clear that even rigorous compliance with OSHA standards can’t prevent all accidents. With that in mind, responsible builders go beyond mere compliance to foster a zero-harm culture—one in which the welfare and safety of workers is paramount.

Behavior-based safety programs focus on the actions of individual workers to identify practices that compromise their safety. The goal is to reduce accidents and safety incidents by measurable amounts. Workers are observed in action by their peers and supervisors. They then receive feedback that can lead to safer ways of working and better outcomes. The next step is the implementation of practical steps to eliminate safety hazards and meet specified safety goals.

The Effectiveness of Behavior-Based Safety Programs

A 2022 study of companies that implemented behavior-based safety training showed dramatic results, with 25 percent fewer injuries in the first year, followed by a 34 percent reduction the following year, and 42 percent fewer in the third year. By observing and responding to real-time activities on the ground, behavior-based programs can catch risky practices before they turn into tragedies.

FSE: Creating a Culture of Safety

At Fleming Steel Erectors, safety isn’t just a buzzword; it’s an intrinsic part of everything we do.

Our zero-harm, behavior-based safety program includes:

Fleming workers receive a full menu of courses to train them in safety procedures and other best practices:

We take pride in completing difficult, large-scale projects without incurring safety incidents—even in perilous weather conditions. Some examples:

Making Safety a Personal Priority

A strong safety culture doesn’t happen by accident. It requires leadership, consistency, and a genuine commitment to protecting every person on the jobsite. That’s the responsibility Stephen Kirkbride carries every day.

Stephen Kirkbride is Fleming’s safety director, bringing 23 years of military service to his current assignment. The importance of protecting human life was instilled deep in him through his military training—along with a commitment to discipline and accountability. Since then, Stephen has accumulated two decades of experience in the construction field and holds an OSHA 510 Construction Safety certification.

Stephen’s unshakeable ethos has permeated our approach to safety programs. Here’s how he describes it:

Two Notable Safety Milestones for Fleming

It’s always gratifying when other entities recognize our commitment to safety as a top priority. Here are two achievements we’re especially proud of: