In the construction industry, safety is not just a legal requirement — it is a reflection of a company’s culture, training, and professionalism. One of the most accurate ways to measure a contractor’s safety performance is through something called EMR, or Experience Modification Rate.
If you have ever reviewed a contractor’s prequalification paperwork, you have probably seen that number listed. But what does it really mean? And why does a .78 EMR rating set Kansas City Coring & Cutting apart from the competition?
Let’s break it down.
What Is EMR?
EMR, or Experience Modification Rate, is a score that reflects a company’s safety record and workers’ compensation history compared to others in the same industry. It is issued by insurance providers and is based on data from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI).
In simple terms, EMR measures how safe a company is to insure. A score of 1.0 represents the industry average. Anything below 1.0 indicates better-than-average safety performance, while a score above 1.0 suggests a higher-than-average rate of incidents or claims.
This rating is not random — it is calculated using a company’s actual injury data, claim frequency, and claim severity over a three-year period. That makes it a factual, data-driven indicator of a company’s safety performance.
Why EMR Matters to Clients
For general contractors, developers, and facility owners, EMR is more than just an insurance metric. It is a window into how a subcontractor operates.
A low EMR shows that a company consistently prevents accidents, manages risk effectively, and takes worker safety seriously. This translates directly into reliability on the jobsite. Contractors with lower EMRs are statistically less likely to cause project delays, damage property, or create compliance problems.
In many cases, a company’s EMR can even determine whether it qualifies to bid on high-value projects. Municipalities, healthcare systems, and large general contractors often require subcontractors to maintain an EMR below a certain threshold — typically 1.0 or better — to meet their safety and insurance standards.
When a client sees a .78 EMR, they know they are working with a team that not only meets those standards but exceeds them by a wide margin.
Why .78 Is Phenomenal
A .78 EMR places Kansas City Coring & Cutting well above the national average in safety performance. To put that in perspective:
A 1.0 EMR represents an industry-average risk profile.
A .90 indicates a contractor that is 10 percent safer than average.
A .78 means a company is performing nearly 25 percent better than the national average for its industry classification.
That is not easy to achieve. It reflects consistent attention to training, maintenance, communication, and risk management across every jobsite.
For our clients, it means lower risk. For our employees, it means a safer environment and stronger confidence in their team and leadership.
How We Maintain a World-Class EMR
Achieving a low EMR requires more than luck — it takes daily discipline. At Kansas City Coring & Cutting, we treat safety as part of our identity.
Preventive Maintenance: Every saw, drill, and core rig is inspected before use. Equipment maintenance is our first line of defense against accidents.
Ongoing Training: Every technician receives continuous education on safe operation, site awareness, and compliance standards.
Communication: Crews meet daily to review site conditions, hazards, and coordination plans. No one starts work without clarity and alignment.
Accountability: Supervisors track performance and reinforce safe behavior on every project. We do not wait for incidents — we prevent them.
This proactive culture is why our EMR remains among the best in the industry year after year.
Why It Matters to You
Choosing a contractor with a low EMR is not just about compliance — it is about protecting your project, your budget, and your peace of mind. When you hire Kansas City Coring & Cutting, you are partnering with a company that treats safety as a core business practice, not an afterthought.
A .78 EMR tells you everything you need to know about how we operate: with care, precision, and a commitment to excellence that never wavers.
If you want to work with a team that prioritizes safety, quality, and accountability at every level, have a conversation with us. We would be glad to show you what professional, safety-driven performance looks like in action.
