Is Safety First?

In this blog, I want to talk to you about why safety is first. It’s our top priority. It’s a value. And it’s always present. Let me share with you a touching story, one that’s common in the industry, and discuss how you can make safety a core part of your career. Keeping it top of mind is essential.

I once heard a speaker named Jeff Espenship, who shared a profound story about safety. He had a career flying planes, transporting them for airshows. On one particular occasion, he asked his brother and a companion to fly a plane to an airshow, but tragically, it crashed, and they didn’t survive.

Jeff explained the issue of hydraulic lock in older planes, where fluid gets into the cavity, preventing the pistons from moving. His brother hadn’t done the full safety checks, leading to the crash. Jeff realized that he had set a dangerous example when he rushed through a similar situation in the past, which ultimately cost his brother’s life. This is a stark reminder of the impact that a single action can have on others.

Safety as a Mindset

When I first started in construction, I was told that “safety is number one.” It sounded right, but as I grew in my career, I learned that safety isn’t just a priority because priorities change. Safety is a value—it’s at the core of everything we do. But it’s more than that. Safety is always. It’s a mindset.

How we do one thing is how we do everything, and our example sets the standard for others. If you skip steps, others will think it’s okay to do the same. The consequences can be tragic.

The Importance of Setting Good Examples for Safety on Site

I have my own story to share. My first boss was a mentor to me, guiding me in every way possible. He and his family welcomed me into their home and workplace. But the company didn’t have a good safety culture. One day, while his father was operating a blade, a horrible accident occurred, resulting in his son’s death. This was a father accidentally killing his son.

That incident shook me to the core and reinforced the importance of setting good examples. Safety must be a value embedded in every aspect of our work.

The Problem with Safety in the Construction Industry

As I travel around construction sites, I see this problem everywhere. Many believe it’s up to the workers themselves to be responsible for their own safety, but that’s not how human nature works. People often prioritize social acceptance over personal safety, meaning that if leadership doesn’t prioritize safety, neither will the workers.

Superintendents, project managers, and field leaders must take responsibility for ensuring a safe environment. It’s their job to make sure everyone goes home safely. You can’t just rely on the workers to handle it on their own.

How to Establish a Culture of Safety in Construction

There are three steps I want you to consider when it comes to safety in your career:

1. Learn It: Educate yourself on safety protocols. This includes completing OSHA 30 training, learning your company’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manual, and attending scaffold and site-specific safety trainings.
2. Implement It: Make sure that safety measures are actually in place. This includes ensuring job sites are organized and have the necessary safety equipment such as guardrails, lifelines, and safety nets.
3. Hold the Line: Do not tolerate unsafe behavior. If you see someone without proper safety gear or not following protocols, address it immediately. Send them home for retraining if necessary. Setting an example is crucial.

Final Reminder About Safety in Construction

You wouldn’t do anything on your job site if you thought it wasn’t going to make money, right? So why would you ever take risks with safety? The health and well-being of your team should be your first priority, your core value, and always on your mind.

I hope this blog has reminded you why safety must be at the forefront of everything we do. On we go, prioritizing safety always.