Managing Safety in the Modern Contract Workforce

Why safety leaders are moving beyond compliance, adopting systems-based safety management, and prioritizing serious injury and fatality prevention across today's increasingly complex contractor workforce.

• By David Kopf
• Jun 29, 2026

Today's workforce increasingly depends on contractors, subcontractors, temporary workers, and extended supply chains, creating new challenges for organizations seeking to manage workplace safety across multiple employers and job sites.

In the latest episode of the OH&S SafetyPod, Executive Editor David Kopf speaks with Scott DeBow, CSP, ARM, Director of Health, Safety & Environmental at Avetta, about why traditional compliance programs are no longer enough to address the complexities of the modern workforce. DeBow explains how organizations can strengthen contractor safety by adopting a systems-based approach built on continuous planning, risk assessment, and improvement.

The conversation also explores the growing emphasis on serious injury and fatality (SIF) prevention, the evolution of safety metrics beyond traditional lagging indicators, and findings from Avetta's 2026 Insight & Impact Report, which found that organizations embracing systems-based safety practices experienced lower severity and fatality rates. DeBow also discusses emerging consensus standards, including ISO 45001, ANSI Z10, and ASTM guidance, and explains how larger organizations can better support smaller contractors that often face disproportionate safety challenges.

Download or stream this episode today from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and more.

Sponsored by Avetta:

Getting businesses and suppliers Ready to work. Avetta builds a global community where companies and suppliers work without worry. Our unified platform streamlines compliance, safety, and performance so every partner is aligned, verified, and ready to deliver. https://www.avetta.com/

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