Lower EMR with Safety-First Practices

In commercial construction, safety isn’t just a box to check—it’s the heart of everything we do. At RJB Contracting, we know that keeping our team safe isn’t just the right thing to do; it also shows our clients that we’re serious about the quality and reliability of our work. One key way we track our safety performance is through our Experience Modification Rate (EMR), and we’re excited to share how we’ve been making big strides in improving it.

What’s EMR, and Why Does It Matter?

Think of EMR as a safety report card. Insurance companies use it to measure how likely workplace injuries are based on a company’s past performance. An EMR of 1.0 is the industry average. If you’re below 1.0, you’re doing better than most; above 1.0 means there’s room for improvement. But it’s not just about insurance rates—your EMR says a lot about how committed you are to keeping your people safe.

How We’ve Improved Our EMR

For us, improving our EMR wasn’t about chasing numbers. It was about making sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. Here’s what we’ve been doing:

1. Making Training a Priority
   We invest in regular training so our crews stay up-to-date on OSHA standards and job-specific safety practices. Whether it’s our superintendents or coatings team, everyone knows what it takes to work safely.
2. Taking a Team Approach to Safety
   Our safety committee doesn’t just make rules—they’re out on job sites, spotting potential issues and fixing them before they become problems. Safety is a team effort here, and everyone has a role to play.
3. Encouraging Open Communication
   We make it easy for our team to report near-misses and share ideas to improve safety. Their feedback helps us stay sharp and make changes where it matters most.

The Results Speak for Themselves

All that effort has paid off. Our EMR improved significantly from 0.939 in 2024 to 0.764 in 2025.

Lower numbers mean fewer incidents and a safer environment for everyone. Plus, it’s helped us save on insurance costs—a win-win for our team and our clients.

Why This Matters for You

When you choose RJB Contracting, you’re choosing a partner that puts safety first. Here’s what that means for your project:

• Fewer Delays: With fewer incidents, we keep projects running smoothly and on schedule.
• Better Quality: A focus on safety means we’re paying attention to every detail.
• Peace of Mind: You can trust that we’re handling your project with care and professionalism.

What’s Next

While we’re proud of how far we’ve come, we’re not stopping here. Safety is an ongoing journey, and we’re committed to finding new ways to improve and innovate. At RJB Contracting, every improvement in our EMR is a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together.

Want to learn more about how our safety-first approach can benefit your next project? Reach out today—we’d love to talk.