Do it the Right Way, Not the Easy Way

By Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.  

Keep your employees safe by going the extra mile to make sure things are done correctly.  

Roofing contractors should take care to do business the right way, not the easy way. Doing so will keep your workers safe from injuries on the job. Besides, working safely is just good business. 

So many incidents occur on the job that lead to property loss or injury. In many such instances, safeguards put in place or not put in place exposed the hazard to workers. 

Too often, individuals opt to do things the easy way instead of the right way. Recognize the importance of completing tasks the right way every time and realize the consequences if you fail to do so. 

Why we choose the easy way 

There are a ton of excuses workers or managers will give for failing to perform work tasks the right way: 

• This is the way they have always done it 

• Management has unrealistic expectations 

• There is not enough time to do the task the right way 

• Workers lack the enthusiasm for doing the task the right way 

You leave your business and your workers at risk when they take the easy way. Safe work practices and procedures must be followed. 

Why do tasks the right way 

There are numerous reasons why workers and managers should do their best to perform every single task the right way every time. But, of course, the number one reason is to keep workers safe from on-the-job injuries. And again, working safely is good business. 

Keeping workers healthy is not only good for those individuals, but it helps your business thrive by avoiding the unnecessary costs that result when injuries occur. When a business does well, everyone connected to it should receive benefits somehow. 

No surprise 

It is not surprising that a major contributing factor to workplace injuries can be easily attributed to workers completing one part of a task or an entire series of tasks the easy way instead of the right way. 

Cutting corners exposes your company and your workers to otherwise avoidable risks. 

Use this as a teachable moment. Consider a toolbox lunch to explain to your roofers the many reasons it pays to complete tasks the right way instead of the easy way. It is worth their time. There is nothing wrong with adapting to a new and better way to complete tasks. Completing work the right way is a benefit to every employee, every client and to your business as a whole. 

You want your business known as one that cares for its employees and values safety above all. So consider rewarding your workers for having good runs of safe working conditions. It can be as easy as calling out a crew at a company meeting, issuing hard hats with “3 Years Safe” emblazoned on them, or an occasional bonus for continuous safety. 

Doing tasks the right way keeps your employees safe and your business humming. 

About Trent Cotney

Trent Cotney is an advocate for the roofing industry, General Counsel of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and several other industry associations. For more information, contact the author at 866.303.5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com.  

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.