NECA

Safety Excellence: A Success Story from Southern Contracting

Each year NECA's Safety Excellence Award winners are carefully chosen from our industry's top safety performers. To be considered for this award, a company must first submit an Injury, Illness and Fatality Survey. Data from the survey is used to evaluate the company’s safety performance. Companies that meet certain category criterion are then evaluated for NECA's Safety Excellence Award.

Jerry Rivera, NECA Director of Safety, recently spent time visiting award recipients to learn what sets this year’s Safety Excellence winners apart. Rivera traveled to Southern California and participated in Southern Contracting's Safety Stand Down program. Southern Contracting recently received both a 2008 Safety Excellence Award and Zero Injury Award from NECA.

Located in San Marcos, California, Southern Contracting celebrated their Seventh Annual Safety Stand Down on May 16. Over 150 Southern Contracting employees took part in this day-long event.

Southern Contracting organized its Safety Stand Down program to reflect its company-wide focus on safety. By setting aside one day to focus on a range of safety issues, company employees come together to complete all projects in an efficient, productive manner that incorporates safe work processes and strong safety awareness.

"Safety is a culture at Southern Contracting, and this attitude is shared throughout our entire company. It is present from the very first job walk, to our daily job site inspections to our tail gate safety meetings, and on throughout each project," said Tim McBride, SCC President.

Southern's management team is held accountable for all activities associated with safety.

"Safety is addressed in pre-employment training, and continues daily, weekly, and monthly with an aggressive training regimen," said Pat Baker, Director of Safety for Southern Contracting. "Our safety efforts are based on our belief that every working person is entitled to a safe and healthful place to work. We train our managers, supervisors, and employees to identify and correct unsafe conditions and more importantly in safe work practices. SCC is committed to achieving zero incidents – the measure of any sound safety program.

"Employees must be given the proper resources to work safely. Safety is more than a priority, safety is a value," Baker said.

At the Safety Stand Down, SCC transformed its company yard into a giant classroom outfitted with various types of equipment and training. SCC employees attended classes and demonstrations and practiced hands on safety techniques, including rigging; confined spaces; excavation; CPR/first aid; small tool safety; and heat illness prevention.

During the event, SCC employees were recognized for their outstanding safety achievements and presented with awards based on their number of incident-free years. Lunch was provided by the company for all participants.

Rivera was extremely impressed by the event. "It was evidence of Southern Contracting's safety performance is not only in the safety program itself, but the value that the leadership has for each and every employee. I was truly touched by the joy that award recipients expressed during the event."

Congratulations to Southern Contracting, and all who strive for safety excellence!