More and more, we are perturbed that contractors and vendors hired by the co-op (as opposed to residents) come on site and violate simple safety procedures.

Yes, one expects a firm to follow all standard and prescribed safety measures.

Yet, if asked, safety is the corporate mantra for the firms we engage. But how often a mechanic or worker enters a co-op site and proceeds to violate simple safety procedures, hazarding himself or herself and others?.

Here are but a few of the recent safety transgressions, we noted in our building.

1. A worker running cables in a ceiling of our lobby for a new elevator communication system, stood atop the top knuckles of the stepladder (it did not have a top shelf, as it was one of the all purpose ladders that can be folded or extended into various configurations) to reach into the drop ceiling opening of our lobby while pulling cables.

2. A landscaper working on our property left a gardening tool, with a long wooden handle, protruding from the shrubs and intruding onto the adjacent walkway space where anyone who was less than vigilant could have sustained an eye injury.

3. An elevator mechanic descended into an elevator pit without placing a barrier and warning signs around the opening to thwart and prevent an individual or more so a child from approaching the opening and possibly falling into the pit.

While the worker can sue his or her company if an injury occurs, here are some what if scenarios.

In this day of knee jerk litigation, attorneys cast a wide swath and add every entity possible to the law suit. What if the co-op is added to a lawsuit and needs to defend itself. Yes, we have insurance, but why should we have an “experience” on our file for the stupidity of a worker and the lack of supervision by the firm?

What is a co-op employee or resident is injured through the negligence of the vendor or contractor?

How do we reduce or eliminate our culpability, however remote?

Has your co-op corporation encountered such lackadaisical attention to safety procedures by on site workers from vendors or contactors?

If you have, what steps has your co-op taken to ensure compliance with safety procedures?

In some cases, the vendor is under a contract that has two or three years to run.