Workplace Safety Starts with Identity Verification: Here’s How to Get It Right

Identity verification is often overlooked in workplace safety, even though it can determine whether risks are addressed before anyone steps on site.

Most organizations focus on training, PPE, or emergency plans. These steps matter. Yet many construction leaders have become experts at managing visible hazards while missing a major vulnerability. They often fail to confirm that workers are who they claim to be and that the credentials they present are real and current.

Identity and credential verification is not a bureaucratic exercise. It is a core safety function that shapes project outcomes, prevents injuries, and protects organizational reputation. When identity verification is done correctly, it strengthens decision-making and reduces exposure across the entire operation.

The Cost of Getting Verification Wrong

High-risk industries often face tight deadlines and labor shortages. These pressures make speed feel more important than thorough checks. As a result, identity verification can seem like an administrative hurdle rather than a critical safety step.

But the consequences of failed verification are severe. A contractor may misrepresent past incidents. A worker may claim qualifications they do not hold. Someone without fall protection training may end up on scaffolding. These risks lead to injuries, fatalities, regulatory action, shutdowns, and major financial losses.

Discovering errors during onboarding is far safer than discovering them after an incident. Early identity verification prevents cascading problems, including investigations, fines, insurance claims, and negative headlines. When companies catch issues before workers enter the site, they protect people, budgets, and long-term credibility.

Identity Verification as Strategic Risk Management

Many organizations still treat verification as an HR responsibility. In reality, identity verification is a strategic risk management practice that protects the entire supply chain.

When a company hires a contractor, it inherits the risks connected to that contractor’s workforce. Any safety failure becomes the host employer’s compliance issue. Any falsified credential becomes a liability. Treating identity verification as a frontline safety and procurement practice helps eliminate hidden risks before they cause damage.

Strong verification also supports fair competition. Qualified contractors compete on skill rather than shortcuts. Workers with real experience gain proper recognition. Leaders gain confidence that their workforce meets required standards. With accurate identity verification, companies manage contractor complexity more effectively and reduce uncertainty across projects.

Using Technology to Scale Safety

Traditional verification methods no longer match the pace of modern industry. Paper certificates, manual checks, and phone calls consume valuable time and are easy to bypass. These methods also collapse under the burden of managing hundreds or thousands of workers across many locations.

Technology has changed expectations. Digital systems allow organizations to perform identity verification in real time and at scale. They can confirm credentials instantly, flag expired qualifications, and provide live visibility across the entire workforce.

The benefits extend beyond convenience. Digital identity verification reduces onboarding time, cuts labor costs, and prevents mid-project delays. By resolving issues early, organizations avoid rework and downtime. Over time, data captured during identity verification becomes a powerful risk management tool. Leaders can identify patterns, assess contractor performance, and strengthen safety culture through informed decisions.

The Hidden Threat on Today’s Jobsites

Although verification has always mattered, the risks have increased. Fake credentials have grown more sophisticated, and fraudulent activity is more common in high-risk sectors.

Across many industries, forged IDs are being used for employment fraud, theft, and even organized criminal activity. Construction sites have been targeted by individuals using fake documents to steal tools, equipment, and materials. Others have used forged certifications to operate specialized equipment, putting themselves and others in immediate danger.

Labor shortages worsen the issue. When positions must be filled quickly, verification shortcuts become tempting. Low-bid contract models also encourage corner-cutting, especially when access control is weak. Under these conditions, even a single overlooked document can introduce major risk.

A multi-layered approach helps address the problem. Organizations should avoid relying on a single form of ID. They should verify training and safety history and confirm that certifications are authentic and current. Routine audits and staff training help teams recognize fraudulent documents and maintain high verification standards.

Building a Safety Framework That Works

Effective identity verification requires systems that are consistent, practical, and easy to apply. Here are key elements of a strong framework:

1. Set clear qualification standards. Everyone should understand which certifications apply to each role. Unclear requirements create confusion and make it easier for unqualified workers to enter the site.
2. Integrate verification into existing workflows. When identity verification occurs during onboarding and site access control, it becomes part of everyday operations.
3. Share accountability across the supply chain. Contractors should verify their own workers and be ready for regular audits. Clear expectations improve oversight without creating unnecessary burden.
4. Use data to refine the process. Tracking verification metrics helps organizations identify delays, gaps, and opportunities to improve. Over time, the system becomes more efficient and more reliable.

Identity verification should be built into the culture. When everyone understands its purpose and role in preventing harm, verification becomes a shared responsibility rather than a last-minute task.

Managing Risk Starts with Identity Verification

Safety has always focused on preventing incidents before they happen. Identity verification is a natural extension of that principle. It helps organizations catch problems early and maintain control over who enters their sites.

Construction faces complex challenges, from mobile crews to contractor networks to aggressive timelines. These conditions make identity verification harder, but also more essential. The companies that excel in safety do not wait for issues to appear. They prevent them by treating identity verification as a strategic priority and embedding it into every workflow.

Identity verification provides measurable insight into workforce risk. It allows organizations to see who is entering their sites, where safety gaps exist, and how performance changes over time. That visibility drives accountability, improves contractor quality, and supports long-term business resilience.

About the Author

Josh Ortega, Vice President, Safety, Sustainability, and Procurement, formerly served as the Chairman of SafelandUSA and an Executive board member for the National STEPS Network. Before joining Veriforce as Vice President of SSP, Josh was with BHP for 18 years. During his time with BHP, Josh worked in operations, human resources, health, safety, environment, and community, primarily focused on contractor management. Josh’s extensive experience in oil and gas production, drilling, completions, well interventions, and construction across the United States provides a robust platform to help industry partners enhance safety and bring workers home safe.