Using Technology to Elevate Safety in Construction...

Tune into Molly Nolan of Nolan Consulting's full interview with Ryan Reber of Safety Reports below: 

Don’t have time to listen to the whole episode right now? No worries, we’ve pulled out some of the key takeaways from the podcast, like- why safety matters now more than ever, how technology is changing the game, and what practical steps leaders can take to create safer job sites.

Using Technology to Elevate Safety in Construction

When it comes to safety in the trades and construction industry, the numbers don’t lie—and they can be sobering. For some businesses, it’s easy to say,  We’ve never had an incident, so we must be fine. But as Ryan Reber from Safety Reports shared with Nolan Consulting Group’s Molly Nolan, safety is often

“good until it’s not.”

Some companies go years without an injury. Others experience life-altering accidents or costly OSHA fines that suddenly force safety to the top of the priority list. Either way, the question becomes: what systems are in place to prevent unsafe moments from turning into real tragedies?

Why Safety Matters for Growth

As Ryan explained, safety isn’t just about keeping employees protected—it’s also about positioning a business for long-term success. Many general contractors (GCs) won’t even consider subcontractors with poor safety records.

He shared a story of a small California contractor who suffered a few incidents that spiked their EMR (Experience Modification Rate). As a result, a major GC stopped returning their calls. Safety performance, in other words, can directly affect your ability to win work and grow.

“Sometimes it’s not even the liability of the trade itself,” Ryan noted. “It’s the ripple effect on your business if something happens.”

Moving Beyond Paperwork

Traditional safety practices often live in binders, spreadsheets, or forms stuffed in work truck consoles. While these processes check a box, they create inefficiencies, inaccuracies, and a lack of visibility for leadership.

That’s why AlignOps acquired Safety Reports—to digitize and simplify safety management. By replacing paper with a mobile platform, companies gain real-time insights into:

• Safety inspections & site audits
  
  
• Toolbox talks (with a library of 300+ topics)
  
  
• Job Safety Analyses (JSAs)
  
  
• Incident & near-miss reporting
  
  
• Equipment & vehicle inspections
  
  
• Observation programs (easy ways for employees to flag safety concerns)
  
  

Ryan emphasized how powerful even a simple rollout can be:

“Start with toolbox talks and observations. Get those happening digitally every week. Then expand into JSAs and inspections once the foundation is set.” How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Overcoming Implementation Barriers

Rolling out new technology in construction isn’t always seamless. Crews often include both tech-savvy workers and long-time veterans who are less comfortable with apps.

Ryan shared some best practices:

• Choose construction-built tools. If it takes more than a few clicks, oftentimes, field crews won’t use it.
  
  
• Start small. Roll out the app to your most tech-friendly crews first, then let them become champions who help others adopt it.
  
  
• Train thoroughly. Hands-on support—like helping crew leaders log in, complete their first reports, and helping them understand the “why”—makes all the difference.
  
  
• Gamify safety. Some companies run raffles or incentives tied to safety observations, which significantly lowers incidents and boosts engagement.

The Future of Safety Tech

Looking ahead, Ryan sees opportunity in AI and predictive analytics. Instead of manually reviewing data, AI could highlight trends and suggest proactive training topics. For example:

• If multiple crews log near misses with ladders, the system could recommend refresher training.
  
  
• If injuries cluster around certain times of day, leaders could adjust scheduling or break patterns.
  
  

“It’s about giving leaders the insights they need—without them having to dig through spreadsheets,” Ryan explained.

Making Safety a Shared Responsibility

The Nolan Consulting Group emphasizes that safety is not just a policy—it’s a culture. Leadership must set the tone, but when technology makes participation easy, safety becomes a shared responsibility.

Ryan put it simply: “The most expensive words in business are, ‘This is how we’ve always done it.’ The companies that thrive are always looking for ways to improve.”

By leveraging digital safety tools, contractors not only protect their people but also strengthen their ability to win work, reduce liability, and build sustainable growth.