To coincide with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction May 4-15, a group of firms across the U.S. have launched the second-annual Safety Week for construction.
The week kicked off May 3 and runs through May 9. The week was launched last year when more than 40 national and global construction firms partnered together to form the Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) and the Incident and Injury Free CEO Forum (IIF). The group launched the week-long safety event in order to “refocus and reenergize our commitment to reducing injuries on the jobsites,” according to the event’s website.
“Safety Week is an opportunity to collectively raise the awareness of safety in the construction industry,” says Brian Acton, president and CEO of BMWC Constructors. “I hope that the momentum of this effort will carry forward each and every day to eliminate all incidents and injuries on our job sites so that all employees can return home safely to their families.”
Company leaders are asked to project specific and personal pledges to become more involved in their company’s safety initiatives. Suggestions include making frequent visits to job sites during the week to perform safety inspections and form an evaluation on how well the company is protecting its workers.
Ed Lyon, president of RMA Group, an engineering firm based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, is participating in Safety Week by sending daily emails to all employees reminding them to work safe. The emails cover hazards of cellphones while driving, fall hazards and back safety, according to company officials. Later this week employees will also be having a barbecue with games and prizes.
Another contractor, Traylor Bros., which is working on the DC Water tunneling projects, has been starting off the days this week with a stretch-and-flex exercise and a speech on what Safety Week is and why it’s important.
“Safety is everything! My well-being and ability to support my family depend on me performing my job safely,” says William Shorter, top lander at the Blue Plains Tunnel in Washington, DC. “I have been working for Traylor for a year now and the safety program has progressed through our daily safety meetings and support from supervisors, who are always looking out for us. I believe Safety Week will give good insight to everyone and promote a positive safety attitude.”
