Data-Driven Safety: SafetyClerk's Digital Solution for Construction Risk Management
When a fraudulent workplace injury claim hit one of Stefano Braganti’s construction sites, the resulting years-long legal battle exposed a critical gap in the industry. As a structural engineer turned construction company manager, Braganti found himself digging through boxes of paper records trying to prove proper safety protocols had been followed. Despite the worker walking out of the emergency room within an hour, the case resulted in a substantial settlement – and sparked the creation of SafetyClerk.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Braganti recalls of the paper-based compliance system. “There is not a better way to fill out everything digitally so you have a record of all the information of the worker, see if the worker received actually the proper training that he’s supposed to receive based on the task that he’s going to perform?”
That frustration led Braganti to launch SafetyClerk, a construction compliance and safety platform that has now expanded to over 300 job sites. The context is stark – more than 1,000 construction-related deaths occur annually in the U.S., while New York City alone sees 4,500 general liability claims settling for over $1 million each year. These astronomical insurance costs squeeze construction company profits, ultimately impacting worker wages across the industry.
“At the end of the day, there are a couple of construction workers that benefit from these claims, and then there is the majority that has a negative impact,” Braganti explains. “They’re getting squeezed on the hourly rate of what they’re making, because there is no profit in construction.” By helping companies that prioritize safety secure lower insurance premiums, SafetyClerk aims to create a virtuous cycle that rewards safe practices and allows for better worker compensation.
SafetyClerk’s solution digitizes the complex web of daily compliance requirements, replacing binders of paperwork with a streamlined tablet-based system. The platform handles everything from worker training verification to site access control through integrated turnstiles. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to harness data to help prevent accidents before they happen.
One major subcontractor discovered through SafetyClerk’s analytics dashboard that they were experiencing a concerning pattern of hand injuries across their 50 job sites. “Based on what they learned from the dashboard, they decided to implement a specific training program,” Braganti explains. “They basically cut out 95% of these hand injuries and 70% of the injuries that they had in general within their company, just because now they had the data to see what was happening on their job sites.”
For Braganti, these aren’t just statistics – they represent real workers going home safely to their families each night. The platform’s impact extends beyond time and cost savings to measurably improving workplace safety culture. By identifying patterns and enabling targeted interventions, SafetyClerk helps prevent injuries before they occur, protecting workers’ livelihoods and well-being.
The company has taken a methodical approach to development, choosing to bootstrap rather than raise outside capital. This has allowed them to work closely with early adopters to refine the platform. “When I started the software, I would say 50% was done based on my knowledge of the industry, but the other 50% was done by our clients,” says Braganti.
By starting in New York City’s heavily regulated market, SafetyClerk built a comprehensive system that can be adapted for different jurisdictions. The core OSHA requirements remain consistent nationwide, with state-specific features that can be enabled as needed.
After growing from 3 to 12 employees and helping clients avoid an estimated $1 million in potential violations and stop work orders in 2024, SafetyClerk is preparing for nationwide expansion in 2025. The company plans to target construction managers and general contractors in 5-10 priority states through industry conferences and events.
Building on its foundation in safety and compliance, SafetyClerk continues to address construction companies’ back-office challenges through expanded capabilities in time tracking and insurance management. With a new website and rebranding planned, the company is positioned to advance its mission of protecting construction workers through innovative, data-driven solutions.
