Invisible Expenses of Construction Claims: The True Cost of Safety Incidents

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Caitlin Liboiron @Caitlin
Safety & Compliance
0 min read
February 4, 2025

In this episode of The Frontline Focus, we sit down with Daniel Maxson, Corporate Safety Director at New South Construction, to explore how integrating safety and risk management can transform workplace culture. This compelling conversation reveals groundbreaking insights about the true costs of workplace incidents and offers practical strategies for building stronger safety programs that actually work.

Episode Highlights

Ready to dive into the key moments from this episode? Here are the top takeaways you won’t want to miss, packed with insights and strategies that can transform the way you approach safety management in construction.

The Iceberg Effect: Hidden Costs of Incidents

Maxson introduces the “iceberg effect” of workplace incidents, explaining how the visible costs are just the tip of what organizations actually face. From production slowdowns to mental health impacts, EMR rate implications, and potential loss of future work opportunities, the true cost of workplace incidents extends far beyond initial medical expenses.

The Marriage of Safety and Risk Management

Daniel emphasizes the critical importance of breaking down silos between safety and risk management departments. “Safety and risk should be intertwined,” he explains, highlighting how this integration leads to better decision-making and more effective claim management. The key is having both departments working in lockstep on job sites, rather than keeping risk management isolated in the office.

The Five Principles of Workers’ Compensation

A groundbreaking framework for managing workers’ compensation claims effectively: Pay, Protection, Prestige, Process, and Paperwork. These principles, developed by Elise White at Change Forward Industries, provide a comprehensive approach to handling workplace incidents with empathy and efficiency.

Building Effective Communication

Maxson shares his approach to workplace communication, emphasizing the importance of multilingual capabilities and positive recognition. “It’s not just communication, it’s effective communication,” he states, highlighting how proper communication strategies can transform safety culture from the ground up.

Meet the Guest

Daniel Maxson is a safety professional at New South Construction, bringing a unique perspective shaped by his journey from Marine Corps service to construction safety leadership. His experience managing Owner Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIP) and Contractor Controlled Insurance Programs (CCIP) has given him valuable insights into both the human and financial aspects of workplace safety.

Listen Now

Tune in to this conversation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!


Join the Conversation

This was an excellent discussion about strengthening safety for the field. As we continue to dive into the construction industry and how to shift the focus on safety at the frontline, let us know who you’d like to hear from and what you’d like to hear about.

About The Frontline Focus

“The Frontline Focus” – A podcast dedicated to those in the field, focusing on their development as the key to construction industry progress.

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