When we gather at trade shows, the atmosphere reminds me of the deep camaraderie that defines our industry—a feeling akin to a family reunion. It is a testament to the experience, integrity, and wisdom of the people of our industry. The current economic environment is creating a situation where construction projects need to come in at a lower cost and a better timeline because of the availability of funding and building costs.
In this circumstance, we should not lose sight of the men and women working on the job site and their daily safety. Of course, compliance with all OHSA rules and regulations is essential—it’s the law.
Beyond the regulatory obligation, safety is as simple as any employee or subcontractor returning home to their family in the same condition they left in the morning. It means protecting ourselves and the families of everyone involved in our industry. My perspective on safety shifts when I think about it from the viewpoint of these families.
As an employee-owned company, we have three guiding principles: “Own It,” “Can Do,” and “Act in Love.” Act in Love encourages us to prioritize others over ourselves. In doing so, we work to integrate safety awareness into our daily lives, identifying and addressing risky behaviors even outside work environments.
At an organizational level, this elevated thinking requires a foundation of trust, clear goals, and high expectations. Over time, as we each improve our individual behaviors and watch out for one another, we celebrate our successes. This type of consideration fosters a culture of care, which serves as a cornerstone for values such as teamwork, innovation, and other admirable goals.
Work, travel, and recreation inherently involve risks, but aligning our minds and hearts makes it easier to mitigate safety risks and demonstrates our commitment to each other’s wellbeing. In the busyness of our daily routines, keeping others’ safety at the top of our minds is a way to show respect and care, regardless of our familiarity with them.
Working to keep safety at the forefront must be intentional. Looking after one another can be as simple as pointing out unlevel ground on an active job site, looking for hoisted materials and helping others stay clear, checking on the availability of fresh water on a hot day, getting a good night’s rest before a long drive, or telling a co-worker not to text and drive. You must have the courage to say something, even if you could be wrong, because it brings awareness to the potential risk.
At these trade shows, surrounded by colleagues who feel like family, we’re reminded of the importance of these principles and our collective responsibility to uphold them. Together, we can continue prioritizing safety by setting a standard that reflects our deepest values and aspirations, regardless of the economic environment in which we work.
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Richard Allen is the president of Elevate Structures.