Prevention of occupational risks in on-site internal subcontracting

On-site internal subcontracting is a crucial part of many industrial activities and takes two distinct forms: outsourcing certain functions to third-party companies, and bringing subcontractors’ employees onto the client’s sites. Although beneficial from an economic and organisational point of view, this practice raises significant workplace safety challenges. Workers assigned to these tasks are often exposed to higher risks, requiring proactive management to ensure their well-being and safety. A thorough understanding of the dynamics of on-site internal subcontracting is therefore essential to put effective worker prevention and protection measures in place.

The risks of on-site internal subcontracting

Job insecurity and lack of training

Job insecurity is a major risk factor for internal subcontracting workers. Often hired on temporary or insecure contracts, these workers may fear losing their jobs if they raise safety concerns. This uncertainty can push them to take unnecessary risks to avoid conflict with their employers. In addition, the lack of site-specific safety training makes these workers less aware of potential dangers. It is therefore essential to set up robust and accessible training programmes to strengthen their ability to recognise and manage risks in their workplace.

Lack of knowledge of safety rules

Subcontracting companies, mainly SMEs, often lack knowledge of safety rules, which is a major challenge. Because of their limited resources, these companies may not be able to implement robust safety programmes or provide adequate training to their staff. This gap in understanding safety standards exposes workers to unnecessary risks on the sites where they work. To remedy this, close collaboration between client companies and subcontractors is essential to make sure safety standards are respected and corrective measures are taken when needed.

Pressure on costs and deadlines

The pressure from clients to meet economic constraints, especially on costs and deadlines, can compromise subcontractors’ workplace safety. The urgency of completing projects on time and within budget can lead to safety compromises, endangering workers’ health and lives. In addition, the tasks given to subcontractors, often among the riskiest, increase workers’ vulnerability to accidents and injuries. It is vital that client companies and subcontractors work closely together to strike a balance between economic imperatives and workplace safety.

The economic stakes of internal subcontracting

Economic benefits

Flexibility is one of the main benefits of internal subcontracting. By outsourcing certain functions or bringing subcontractor staff on site, companies can more easily adjust their workforce to fluctuations in demand or specific project needs. This operational flexibility allows better adaptation to economic cycles, reducing the risks of overloading or under-using human resources.

Another major benefit is companies’ ability to refocus on their core business. By delegating non-essential activities to specialist partners, companies can concentrate their resources and expertise on the strategic aspects of their business, supporting innovation, growth and competitiveness.

Internal subcontracting also often brings significant cost savings. By outsourcing functions or processes to external providers or bringing in subcontractor staff, companies can reduce their spending on HR management, training, employee benefits and infrastructure. This cost optimisation helps improve the company’s profitability and financial viability.

In short, the economic benefits of internal subcontracting, in particular flexibility, refocusing on the core business and cost optimisation, make it an attractive practice for many companies seeking to improve their operational efficiency and competitiveness.

Risks to workplace safety

Despite the economic benefits, internal subcontracting exposes workers to higher workplace safety risks. Employees of subcontracting companies, often in insecure jobs and from small organisations, face potentially dangerous working conditions. Their job insecurity can make them more vulnerable to accidents and incidents at work, especially because of a lack of adequate training and resources to ensure their safety. In addition, pressure to meet deadlines and costs can increase stress and fatigue, which can also raise the risk of accidents and injuries. Companies must therefore take specific measures to mitigate these risks and ensure the safety and well-being of all workers involved in internal subcontracting.

Strategies to improve safety in internal subcontracting

A rigorous prevention plan

A meticulous prevention plan, designed in close collaboration between all the stakeholders involved, is a crucial first line of defence to anticipate and mitigate the risks of internal subcontracting. By mapping potential hazards and the corresponding preventive measures in detail, this plan provides a structured framework to ensure a safe and secure working environment for all the workers concerned. Diligent implementation and regular updating of this plan are essential to adapt to changing working conditions and maintain high safety standards.

Subcontractor selection and approval policy

A rigorous subcontractor selection and approval policy is essential to ensure safety in internal subcontracting operations. By carefully assessing potential subcontractors’ skills and safety records, clients can ensure compliance with established standards and the reliability of the partners selected. This policy also maintains a consistent level of quality by setting strict entry criteria and ensuring continuous monitoring of safety performance.

Setting up extended health and safety committees

Creating extended Health, Safety and Working Conditions Committees (CHSCT), bringing together staff representatives from client companies and subcontractors, is an effective way to promote a collaborative approach to safety on industrial sites. By bringing the relevant stakeholders together, these committees make it possible to exchange information, share good practices and coordinate occupational risk prevention efforts. This strengthens collective responsibility for safety and encourages a shared safety culture among all the entities involved in internal subcontracting.

Multi-year contracts and specific training

Multi-year contracts help integrate subcontractors on work sites, creating an environment that supports close and lasting collaboration between all parties. This contractual approach consolidates professional relationships and encourages mutual commitment to safety. At the same time, organising specific safety training for subcontractor staff as soon as they arrive on industrial sites ensures early awareness of risks and of the preventive measures to adopt, strengthening the safety of operations.

Analysing the financial impact 

Workplace accidents have a significant financial impact on companies, well beyond direct costs such as medical expenses and compensation paid to injured workers. These incidents also bring considerable indirect costs, such as lost productivity, staff replacement costs and possible legal penalties. A detailed analysis of these costs highlights the importance of investing in risk prevention programmes.

By investing in safety and prevention measures, companies can reduce the number of workplace accidents and minimise the associated costs. For example, regular training on good safety practices can reduce human error and accidents caused by incorrect use of equipment. Likewise, improving working conditions and implementing ergonomic measures can reduce the risk of injuries from repetitive movements or poor posture.

As well as reducing the costs of workplace accidents, risk prevention programmes can also have a positive impact on the company’s productivity. In a safe and secure working environment, workers are more likely to feel valued and engaged, which often leads to higher productivity and quality of work. In addition, by reducing the number of days lost to injuries, companies can maintain regular production and avoid costly delays.

Finally, investing in risk prevention can help strengthen the company’s brand image by demonstrating its commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees. Companies that prioritise safety are often seen as responsible and trustworthy employers, which can attract the best talent and retain ethically minded customers. As a result, risk prevention programmes can not only protect the company’s finances but also contribute to its long-term growth and prosperity.

Regulatory compliance in internal subcontracting

Regulatory compliance is a major concern for companies engaged in internal subcontracting. To ensure all relevant laws and regulations are respected, it is essential to understand in detail the specific requirements imposed by the competent authorities. Here is a practical guide to help companies make sure they meet all their legal obligations:

1. Identifying applicable laws and regulations:

    - Start by identifying the laws and regulations relevant to your sector and your type of internal subcontracting. This may include laws on occupational health and safety, environmental protection, workers’ rights, etc.

    - Consult the competent regulatory authorities to get precise information on the legal requirements that apply to your company.

2. Assessing risks and compliance needs:

    - Carry out a thorough assessment of the potential risks associated with your internal subcontracting activity. Identify the areas where there is a risk of non-compliance with laws and regulations.

    - Determine the measures needed to ensure regulatory compliance in each area identified. This may include specific policies, procedures and training.

3. Developing a compliance checklist:

    - Create a detailed checklist of all the legal obligations relevant to your company. Organise the items by category (health and safety, environmental protection, etc.) for greater clarity.

    - Include specific points to check, deadlines for the required actions and the people responsible for each task.

4. Implementing compliance measures:

    - Implement the compliance measures identified in your risk assessment. Make sure all employees involved in internal subcontracting are trained and aware of their compliance responsibilities.

    - Set up a monitoring system to track compliance continuously and make adjustments where needed to keep up with changing legal requirements.

By following this practical guide, companies can strengthen their regulatory compliance in internal subcontracting, reducing legal risks and the financial consequences of non-compliance.

Commitment and safety culture 

To encourage greater commitment to safety among subcontractors, various methods can be used to foster a safety culture. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Incentive and reward systems:

Setting up financial or non-financial incentive systems can be an effective way to encourage subcontractors to adopt safe working practices. This may include safety bonuses for teams that reach predefined safety targets, individual rewards for workers who report potential hazards or show exemplary safe behaviour, or public recognition for teams or individuals who have kept an exemplary safety record over a given period.

2. Recognising safety records:

Recognition programmes for subcontractors with outstanding safety records can be a powerful motivator. This can take the form of regularly publishing safety performance, awarding certificates of recognition, or even honours for exemplary subcontractors. Public recognition of their achievements can not only strengthen their commitment to safety but also encourage other subcontractors to follow their example.

3. Awareness and training campaigns:

Organising regular awareness campaigns on occupational risks and safety best practices can help create a safety culture within subcontractor teams. These campaigns can include interactive training sessions, hazard recognition workshops, practical demonstrations of personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and awareness sessions on the consequences of workplace accidents. By providing ongoing education on risks and encouraging open communication about safety concerns, subcontractors will be better prepared to identify and mitigate potential hazards in the workplace.

By adopting these approaches, clients can encourage greater commitment to safety among their subcontractors, strengthening the safety culture and reducing the risk of workplace accidents.

Innovative tools and technologies 

In on-site safety, adopting innovative technologies and tools opens new prospects to strengthen risk prevention and improve worker safety. Here are some of these advances:

- Mobile apps for safety inspections: These apps let field teams carry out detailed inspections using their mobile devices. With features such as image capture, geolocation and customisable checklists, inspections can be carried out efficiently and documented in real time. The reports generated provide actionable data to identify risk areas and take immediate corrective action.

- Augmented reality for training: Augmented reality offers an immersive and interactive approach to safety training. Using AR headsets or glasses, workers can be immersed in virtual environments simulating realistic safety scenarios. This lets employees become familiar with safety procedures, learn to respond to emergencies and practise interventions without any risk to their safety, all in a controlled environment.

- Integrated safety management systems: These systems provide a centralised platform to monitor, manage and analyse every aspect of on-site safety. By integrating data from various sources such as monitoring equipment, incident reports and inspections, these systems give a complete overview of safety. With advanced features such as predictive analytics and task management, companies can identify trends, anticipate risks and implement proactive strategies to ensure a safe working environment.

By combining these technologies and tools, companies can create a robust safety ecosystem, fostering a proactive safety culture and giving workers on site greater protection.

Finally, by taking concrete measures to strengthen safety in on-site internal subcontracting, we can reduce occupational risks and promote a safer and healthier working environment for everyone involved. By taking a proactive approach focused on preventing accidents and incidents, companies can ensure the protection of the health and safety of their own staff and of the subcontractors’ workers.

To achieve this goal, it is crucial to put in place robust policies, effective procedures and training programmes suited to each situation. By encouraging collaboration between the different stakeholders and investing in safety awareness and training, we can create a working environment where safety is an absolute priority.

Contact us today to find out how SEMS can help you strengthen safety in your internal subcontracting operations.