I am attempting to install a forum (XenForo)

"The following errors occurred while verifying that your server can run XenForo:

PHP must not be running in safe_mode. Please ask your host to disable the PHP safe_mode setting.

Please correct these errors and try again"

Is there a workaround for this problem?

there is no work around with php safemode as its a system wide feature that is enable and you can not upload your own php.ini and use it as it will not work