Beyond Compliance: Building Safer Workplaces Through a Systems-Based Approach

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In the construction and energy industries, safety has long been rooted in regulatory compliance. Organizations build their safety manuals around Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, enforce training based on standardized codes and track metrics like Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) to gauge success. While these compliance-based strategies serve as a foundational layer, they often fall short of preventing incidents, managing dynamic risks or aligning with broader business goals.

Today, leading organizations are shifting away from this compliance-driven mindset to a systems-based approach to safety, which integrates safety into the fabric of business operations and continuously evolves with organizational needs.

The Limitations of Compliance-Based Safety

Regulatory standards are essential, but by design, they define the minimum acceptable threshold. Safety programs built solely around them tend to be fragmented, reactive and slow to adapt. Many safety manuals mirror OSHA language, resulting in “check-the-box procedures” rather than proactive risk management.

This approach also reinforces the use of lagging indicators, like Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Days Away/Restricted or Transfer Rate (DART), which focus on outcomes after incidents occur, rather than identifying and correcting risks beforehand. These metrics can be easily skewed or misunderstood by financial stakeholders who are not safety professionals.

In many high-risk field operations, compliance-based safety programs are often treated as separate, standalone initiatives. For example, programs for lockout/tagout, personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protection are typically managed independently, with minimal integration. While these programs are referenced in safety manuals, they are rarely connected in a way that reflects how tasks in the field actually involve multiple safety measures simultaneously. This fragmented approach makes it difficult to manage safety comprehensively and fails to address the broader organizational risks that workers face. To improve effectiveness, these programs need to be integrated into a cohesive systems-based approach that actively identifies and manages risk across the organization.

Why a Systems-Based Approach Works

A systems-based approach reframes safety not as a standalone department, but as an integrated element of operational excellence. At its core, it’s the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, a foundational management framework developed in the 1950s. This framework emphasizes continuous improvement and risk-based thinking, transforming industries from manufacturing to healthcare. Applied to safety, it enables organizations to shift from reactive compliance to proactive prevention and performance.

Systems-based safety focuses on identifying and mitigating root causes, integrating multiple safety functions into cohesive workflows and using leading indicators to anticipate risk. More importantly, it aligns with broader business metrics, such as claims per million dollars of payroll, which resonate with executives, underwriters and shareholders alike.

How to Develop a Systems-Based Safety Model

Transitioning to a systems-based safety model does not require a complete overhaul overnight. Leaders and safety professionals should familiarize themselves with key frameworks, many of which are accessible online:

• ISO 45001: A global standard for occupational health and safety management systems, ideal for enterprise or international operations.
• OSHA’s Recommended Practices: Free, accessible guidance tailored to businesses of all sizes.
• ANSI/ASSP Z10: A comprehensive standard with practical tools for injury prevention, workplace violence response and continuous improvement.

These resources provide a blueprint for building an integrated system that addresses organizational risks holistically, rather than in piecemeal.

How Alliant Can Support Creating a Systems-Based Safety Model

In today's complex operating environments, a checkbox approach to safety is no longer sufficient. Organizations that adopt a systems-based model unlock a more agile, effective and forward-looking way to manage risk. For safety professionals and business leaders alike, this shift is not just a compliance upgrade—it's a strategic investment in resilience, performance and long-term success.

At Alliant Construction, our team of insurance specialists bring decades of experience in proactively identifying risks and developing personalized solutions to protect the continuity of your operations. For more information on how we can support your journey toward safer, more resilient operations, contact a member of the Alliant Construction team.

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