Consumers and businesses will benefit from increased safety awareness not only because of fewer injuries but also in lower construction costs, said Jimmy Hinze, professor and director of the Fluor Program for Construction Safety. Costs of insurance are about 7 percent to 8 percent of the cost of a structure, Hinze said. With better safety records we would save 4 percent to 5 percent of our cost for construction. Those small percentages could add up to some large savings. Building owners are becoming more conscious about the quality of contractors they hire, and they commonly use safety performance as a criterion in the selection process, Hinze said.
Safety positively impacts morale, productivity and quality.
The corporation will make a good partnership with UF because it is known in the industry as being the leader in safety, said Charles Kibert, professor and director of UF s School of Building Construction. Academic research at UF and the practical know-how of the Fluor Corp. is an excellent blend, Kibert said. Educational seminars to show the benefits of improved safety on construction sites are a key aspect of the relationship. Hinze and Fluor safety professionals are scheduled to teach the seminars, which begin in May in Orlando. The partnership improves Fluor s profile and recognition by being associated with UF and in turn gives UF the benefit of first-hand field knowledge from Fluor professionals, said Jay M. Stein, professor and interim dean for the college.