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Can a bad procurement contract get workers killed?

We think of workplace safety as an on-site issue—guards, training, equipment. But can decisions made in a procurement office, far from any worksite, actually affect whether workers live or die?

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By Virat Answered 2 months ago

Absolutely. Research shows that outsourcing and subcontracting can weaken OHS management if contracts don't mandate safety standards. The result is a "race to the bottom" where price trumps protection. Evidence-based solutions: integrate explicit OHS clauses into contracts, conduct pre-qualification assessments of contractors' safety records, and maintain client oversight even after work is delegated. Safety isn't just built on site. It's built into the contract before anyone arrives.

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