\nJeff Palombo<\/p>\n
Permission granted by Robins & Morton<\/p>\n
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First, by focusing on identifying and eliminating error precursors and latent organizational weaknesses that contribute to human error, contractors can better understand the operating system factors that drive human behavior. Contractors use this understanding to reduce the likelihood and severity of workplace incidents with the integration of consequence-control strategies, building resilience to failure.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSecond, by collecting and analyzing observational data, contractors can create a more accurate picture of error-likely conditions and how to improve safety on their projects.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHannah Waters, Jacobs vice president of global health, safety and environment: <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>In addition to focusing on high-risk activities and onsite safety, our industry could pay more attention to mental health and well-being. While physical safety is paramount, it’s important to address the psychological aspects of worker health.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nProviding support resources, promoting open communication and fostering a supportive work environment can help mitigate stress, improve overall job satisfaction and ultimately influence safe and secure decision-making.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn collaboration with global mental health professionals, Jacobs developed\u202fOne Million Lives\u202f\u2014 a free mental health check-in tool and resources enabling users to check their mental health and access proactive strategies for personal mental health development.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTodd Friis, Clayco senior vice president of risk management: <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Planning. It sounds basic, but planning is where safety starts and often where it fails. You obviously need to be in the field auditing and observing, but we see a lot of value in laying out good plans before the work even starts. Too many incidents are the result of rushed schedules or incomplete pre-task planning.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
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\nTodd Friis<\/p>\n
Permission granted by Clayco<\/p>\n
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We set up site-specific safety plans for the project that take into account the requirements of our program, plus state and client requirements, before the project even starts. Similarly, before any of our subcontractors start on the job, they have to create their own site-specific safety plan for how their scope of work will be done safely, as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe hold daily coordination meetings and weekly look-ahead meetings. We also have each crew complete a daily pre-task safety analysis, an exercise that incorporates all other considerations as they map out how to safely approach their specific tasks for the day.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWe find time and time again that the projects and contractors that place a lot of emphasis on making solid plans consistently result in having some of the highest safety performance.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
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\nShaun Carvalho<\/p>\n
Permission granted by Shawmut<\/p>\n
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Shaun Carvalho, Shawmut Design and Construction chief safety officer:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> Ensuring trade partners have a good, safe experience that is built on respect \u2014 both physical and psychological \u2014 is vital to the industry\u2019s future.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTradespeople work on multiple sites and for multiple contractors yearly. As construction managers, we must align on providing the best physical and mental health resources and support, creating inclusive environments where everyone can perform their best.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSteve Spaulding, Turner Construction chief environmental, health, and safety officer:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> First, we need to move beyond the idea that safety is solely the responsibility of the \u201csafety expert.\u201d Safety belongs to everyone.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
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\nSteve Spaulding<\/p>\n
Permission granted by Turner<\/p>\n
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Every person on the jobsite must feel empowered to speak up \u2014 to protect themselves and one another. That\u2019s what All In Together (this week\u2019s theme) means to me: a culture of shared responsibility and collective care. Proactive planning for high-risk activities must be a top priority in every conversation, because that\u2019s where the greatest potential for serious injury or fatality lies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\nWe\u2019ve made real progress in raising the standards of care and building environments where people feel safe and supported. Equally important is continuing to talk openly about mental well-being. The growing attention to psychological safety is a positive shift, and we will keep expanding awareness, resources and support.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nUltimately, the goal is to strengthen a culture where the worker is more important than the work \u2014 here safety isn\u2019t a checklist, but a mindset and a mission. It\u2019s about daily acts of care that reflect who we are and what we value.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
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\nTricia Thibodeaux<\/p>\n
Permission granted by Fluor<\/p>\n
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Tricia Thibodeaux, Fluor vice president health, safety and environmental: <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Contractors and safety experts should focus on cultivating a strong safety culture through demonstrated care and management engagement. When workers feel genuinely valued, they are more likely to adopt safe practices, report hazards, collaborate in safety planning and become safety leaders themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCulture can be elevated through regular safety meetings, open communication channels and visible leadership involvement in safety initiatives. By focusing on these areas, companies can improve jobsite safety and create a safer, more productive working environment for all employees.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nLonnie Schock, DPR environmental health and safety and leadership team member: <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>We believe that ongoing improvements require a focus beyond the typical \u201cphysical safety\u201d environment to include holistic\/whole-health approaches, including the expansion of the industry\u2019s focus on mental health. Recent studies show that construction workers are at a heightened risk of mental health issues, with a suicide rate that is 3.5 times higher than the national average.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n