For the past three years, I’ve been honored to serve as a judge for the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) which recognize companies who excel at safety performance. These awards represent the culmination of an extensive application process (22 pages), completed by hundreds of companies to illustrate their commitment to safety with the implementation of various innovative safety ideas, programs and practices.

AGC members and staff review all initial applications and narrow the field to 50 finalists. Companies each give a 5-minute presentation before the panel of five judges over four intense days. Participants receive a score, based on the combination of their application and presentation, which determines 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for each category. As a former presenter and first place CSEA award winner, I fully appreciate the effort put forth by both applicants and judges.

Submissions from all first place winners are reviewed again to determine the single grand prize winner. This year, Hensel Phelps was awarded the honor for their culture of safety which is driven from the top down - spearheaded and championed by their CEO from day one - a proven recipe for success.

However, the true winners of this event are the workers whose lives and/or livelihoods will be saved by the implementation of innovative ideas like those presented in this competition and then shared with the industry. Even the smallest safety improvements can help minimize risk, prevent injuries and reduce potential claims, which will produce far greater rewards than any short term, safety-sacrificing, cost-cutting measure.

I am pleased to share a brief summary of just some of the safety measures and innovative ideas utilized by this year’s AGC CSEA finalists:

• IT Department created a single-click function within Outlook that notifies management of incidents including project and type of incident.
• Hardhat QR Code to report safety concerns with reports going directly to the safety director, which are addressed immediately.
• When the heat index reaches 85 degrees or higher, a designated hydration monitor is established to ensure workers take a break and hydrate properly.
• Develop Project Emergency Action Plans (EAP) that includes an: emergency contact list, notification/alert system, exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, shutdown procedures, emergency rally points/assembly area, personnel accounting, first aid/CPR personnel, severe weather procedures, and training. 
• Use 4D modeling for high-risk work to reduce exposure to employees and provide the necessary equipment to complete work safely.
• Use Craft Awareness, Recognition, and Engagement in Safety (CARES) Program to engage your trades each week on all projects.
• Discuss mental health frequently to address suicide in construction. Give employees a wallet card with a phone number & QR code link to a local mental health hotline.
• Seek partners to leverage design-build opportunities where standardized assemblies and increased amounts of prefabrication can be used, making the project safer.
• A 6-video safety series called Charged! Provides comprehensive electrical information to support implementation of best safety practices.
• First impressions are important, require employees attend an 8-hour safety orientation that takes place on their first day with the company.
• “Ladder Last” efforts utilize pre-construction planning, to reduce the need for ladders on the jobsite by designing out work at heights or incorporating lifts instead.
• Host an Annual Fall Awareness Fair that is open to the surrounding construction industry to encourage maximum participation.
• Measure leading indicators such as frequency of safety training, results of safety audits and inspections, and behaviors reflected in operations. Pairing a new hire with a tenured team member as a mentor to promote “work safe” procedures.
• To reduce fall potential, implement the use of aluminum stair systems on all projects that require access to upper levels.
• Hold quarterly safety stand downs on each project for topics such as heat stress, fall protection, trenching & excavation, etc.
• Hold bi-weekly leadership team meetings that includes the owner, CFO, Senior Project Management, Lead Estimator, and Safety Director.

These annual awards, much like Construction Safety Week—which begins today, serve as important reminders that safety must always take ‘center stage’ in our industry. If you are interested in attending the 2024 CSEA award presentation, join the AGC in San Diego next March 20-22. To learn more about American Global and how we help our clients prioritize safety, visit: www.americanglobal.com or contact me directly at: [email protected]