The Safety of Work
Ep.6 What is the cost of accepting the cheapest tender?
Dec 22, 2019
The podcast dives into the hidden dangers of accepting low tender bids in construction. It reveals how cutting costs can jeopardize safety, leading to subpar protective equipment and inexperienced labor. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding contractor dynamics and financial structures. Insights from ethnographic research highlight the delicate balance between saving money and ensuring safety. It's a call to action for clients and contractors alike to rethink their tender evaluations to prioritize worker well-being over mere financial savings.
29:42
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Quick takeaways
- Accepting the cheapest tender often compromises safety, as it leads to inadequate resources for protective measures and minimal safety standards.
- The pressure to reduce costs results in poor equipment and tools that fail to meet safety requirements, increasing the risk of injury on-site.
Deep dives
The Cost-Safety Trade-Off
Accepting the cheapest tender can lead to significant compromises in safety during construction projects. Organizations often bid low to win contracts, which can result in reduced resources allocated for safety measures. The pressure to keep costs down may mean that companies opt for minimal safety standards or eliminate safety programs altogether, believing they can manage risks later. This short-term thinking can create an environment where safety is undervalued, ultimately leading to more significant problems down the line.
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