What Is a Contractor Safety Record?
Definition: A contractor safety record is the documented history of a company's safety performance and regulatory compliance. It is usually measured with standard metrics such as the Experience Modification Rate (EMR) and Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), along with records of OSHA or MSHA citations and compliance with recognized standards.
Scaffold work is high-risk, and owners and general contractors carry real exposure when they bring a scaffold provider onto their site. A provider's safety record is one of the clearest indicators of how it manages that risk. Two numbers come up most often. The EMR, used in workers' compensation insurance, compares a company's actual claims to the expected claims for companies of its size and type, with 1.0 representing average; below 1.0 is better than average. The TRIR measures how many OSHA-recordable injuries and illnesses occur per 100 full-time workers per year, so lower is better.
Compliance history matters as well. A record of no OSHA violations, or no MSHA violations for providers working at mine sites, over the past three years shows that a company's programs are working in the field, not just on paper. Compliance with OSHA, MSHA, and ANSI standards shows the company understands and follows the rules that apply to its work. Many owners set minimum thresholds for these measures before a provider can bid. Through Scaffold Exchange, you can filter providers by the safety record qualifications your project requires.
Key Safety Record Measures
Safety record qualifications on Scaffold Exchange focus on the following measures.
EMR At or Below 1.0
An Experience Modification Rate at or below the industry average of 1.0, based on workers' compensation claims history.
TRIR At or Below 1.0
A Total Recordable Incident Rate at or below 1.0 recordable case per 100 full-time workers per year.
OSHA Compliance & History
Compliance with OSHA standards and no OSHA violations in the past three years.
MSHA Compliance & History
Compliance with Mine Safety and Health Administration rules and no MSHA violations in the past three years.
ANSI Compliance
Equipment and practices that comply with applicable ANSI-approved consensus standards.
Safety Record Qualifications on Scaffold Exchange
Scaffold Exchange lists the following safety record qualifications. Explore each one to learn more and find providers.
ANSI Compliant
Experience Modifier Rate (EMR) At or Below 1.0
MSHA Compliant
No MSHA Violations Past 3 Years
No OSHA Violations Past 3-Years
OSHA Compliant
Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) At or Below 1.0
When Safety Record Matters Most
Safety record qualifications are commonly required in situations such as the following.
Owner and GC contractor prequalification
Refineries, chemical plants, and power plants
Mining and aggregate operations
Plant shutdowns and turnarounds
Government and public projects
Third-party contractor management platforms
Insurance and bonding reviews
Large commercial and healthcare projects
How Safety Record Relates to Other Ways to Search
Safety record is one of several ways to evaluate providers on Scaffold Exchange. Here is how it relates.
Credentials and business attributes
- Certified builders and tagging programs
- Labor structure and insurance
- Memberships and sourcing
- Best for matching project requirements
Search by market
- More than 30 industries
- Industry-specific safety rules
- Providers with relevant experience
- Best when industry experience matters
Measured safety performance
- EMR and TRIR at or below 1.0
- OSHA and MSHA compliance history
- ANSI compliance
- Best for screening on safety performance
Search by service
- Rentals, erection, and delivery
- Soft crafts and engineering
- Training to improve safety
- Best when you know the service
Search by equipment
- Systems, frame, and motorized scaffolds
- Shoring and fall protection
- Specific brands and products
- Best when you know the equipment
Find Providers with Strong Safety Records
Use the Scaffold Exchange map to search by location, filter by safety record, and connect directly with scaffold and access providers that meet your EMR, TRIR, and compliance requirements.
OSHA Compliance & Safety Standards
OSHA's recordkeeping rule, 29 CFR Part 1904, requires many employers to record work-related injuries and illnesses on OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301 and to post annual summaries. These records are the basis for calculating TRIR, which is the number of recordable cases multiplied by 200,000 and divided by total hours worked. EMR is calculated by insurance rating organizations from workers' compensation claims data. Owners commonly request OSHA 300A summaries, EMR letters, and citation history during prequalification.
- Injuries and illnesses recorded on OSHA forms
- Annual OSHA 300A summary posted
- TRIR calculated from current records
- EMR letter available from the insurer
- OSHA and MSHA citation history available
- Corrective actions documented
Part 1904
Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
OSHA Interpretations & Rulings →