D.G. Liu Contractor has found a way to make safety profitable for both the company and its individual employees. “Everyone starts with 500 safety points,” says Terry Ensor, the company's production coordinator and safety officer. At the end of the year, whoever has the most points gets $500.
Ensor gets safety regulations and tips from OSHA and prints materials for production meetings. He then checks on 13 employees scattered throughout the company's suburban Maryland market, just north of Washington, D.C. “There [cannot be any] unsafe practices on our jobsite, including ladders that are broken or damaged, electrical plugs missing prongs, or electrical cords that are frayed,” he says. “I look for [proper footwear] and for trucks with good tires.” Every infraction costs the employee two points. Most violations can be immediately corrected, Ensor adds. Although subs aren't eligible for the bonus system, Ensor reports their violations to their employers.
The system has been in place for five years, and the company has definitely improved its safety record. Its insurance experience modification has gone from 0.85 to 0.79, owner Jerry Liu says.