Residential Service Contractor Safety

One of the top safety recommendations we give to employers is to take a good long look at your workplace and correct any hazards. But what if your employees are constantly changing work sites? What if you don’t have access to observe and adjust the workspace, because it’s a customer’s home?

In the last issue of COMPpress, we took a look at home health-care worker safety. In this issue, we’ll discuss residential service contractors, such as electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors, who arrive at a brand-new worksite on a regular basis. For many, walking into unknown hazards is simply part of the job, and is often downplayed as either very low risk, or simply impossible to change.

In fact, for many of you in these industries, the safety discussion might revolve more around keeping the customer safe rather than your employees. Of course, we advocate for any steps you can take to protect your clients. Keeping track of tools, labeling any electrical hazards and leaving a clean worksite are all important ways to take care of your customers and their families. But the discussion shouldn’t end there. Your own team could be facing new safety challenges every day, and you want to be sure they head out to the job site equipped to handle those situations. It’s tempting to dismiss some of these safety topics as common sense, or to assume that your team is “tough enough” to handle them. But, don’t make that mistake—we’ve seen injuries in strong, fit workers that could have been prevented by taking a few basic safety precautions. Take a look below and pass these tips on to your team.

‍Slips, trips and falls
‍If you or your employees are in customer homes often, you know there’s a wide range of cleanliness and upkeep out there. One home might be spotless, and another could be littered with kids’ toys or clutter. Your employees should watch their steps, and tactfully communicate any needs to the homeowner when it comes to removing obstacles. And keep in mind that homeowners aren’t the only ones who sometimes leave hazards lying around. On larger projects, you may have several of your own employees on-site or might even be sharing the space with other trade workers. The tile floor that was there yesterday might today include a trench to access underground plumbing. Be sure your workers keep their eyes open, keep their own workspace free of hazards and communicate with others sharing the space.

Personal protective equipment
‍Whether it’s a COVID-19-related mask policy, or a more traditional mandate to wear safety goggles or ear protection, you’ve probably directed your team to use some form of personal protective equipment (PPE) in certain situations. It can be hard to hold your employees accountable, though, when they are working alone or in small teams on scattered job sites. There are some strategies, however, that you can use to help enforce your PPE policies. Extra training is a good place to start. It’s always helpful to explain the “why” behind your policies. You can also have employees sign an agreement to correctly use the PPE you provide. Last, strategic drop-ins from supervisors are a good, discreet way to remind your team that they do have someone checking that they are being safe when it comes to PPE.


"Train your employees to spot dangerous red flags and teach them how to avoid or deescalate hostile situations."
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‍Electrical exposures
‍The older the home, the more likely your employees will find mislabeled, altered or damaged electrical systems. Take extra care when working with any system that your team isn’t familiar with. Have your staff double-check any wiring with voltage testers before handling, give them ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) extension cords to use with permanent outlets and train everyone to use your lockout/tag-out program.

‍Travel safety
‍Getting to and from job sites introduces the whole gamut of and a sense of connectedness will be key in helping these employees. Make sure everyone is interacting. Keep regular touch-base meetings on the calendar, not only for business purposes but to also find out how employees are doing and if they need help to feel more connected.

‍Take advantage of existing resources
‍If your company’s health insurance plan includes wellness services, you’ll want to encourage use of these resources as much as possible. Health assessments, incentives and biometric screenings, for instance, that often come with these programs can help your staff recognize areas they need to improve upon.Your company may also have an employee assistance program (EAP) that can offer counseling and assist with a broad array of problems, such as substance abuse, family challenges and psychological disorders, just to name a few. You can also find resources available online. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published its research, tools and strategies on workplace health at cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion. No matter where you start, supporting your employees’ health and fitness can lower costs and create a happier place to work! 
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Pets in the home
‍Whether Rover is a burly German Shepherd or a dainty Chihuahua, pets can be territorial and protective of their families—and they can also be trip hazards. Ask homeowners to secure any pets in a location away from your employee’s work area, for the safety of both humans and animals. And, if your employee notices fleas or ticks in the home, discuss appropriate control measures with the homeowner. No one wants six-legged hitchhikers headed home with them from work.

Workplace violence
‍This is the situation we all hope never to encounter, but it does happen. Angry customers or high-crime neighborhoods can quickly turn into violent situations. Train your employees to spot dangerous red flags and teach them how to avoid or deescalate hostile situations. Install GPS trackers on your vehicles or have a plan in place for workers to keep your team updated on their location. Train your team to lock doors and remain aware of their surroundings. And, if you haven’t already, enact a zero-tolerance policy for violence, which includes any abusive or threatening language. Any client who shows potential for violence should no longer be offered your services.

These are just a few of the hazards residential service contractors might face in the field. For more information on these topics and many others, be sure to check out our website at summitholdings.com and visit our blog archive. Also, explore our extensive library of online safety training videos and materials; if you don’t have a login to access these tools, you can request one via email at SafetyResourceRequest@summitholdings.com.