Safety Newsletter February Update
Partners, In recent weeks, we've seen several near misses involving stored energy — including jacks, hydraulic pressure, and electrical systems. Stored energy continues to be one of the most significant contributors to Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) potential across our job sites. Much of the work we perform involves energy sources such as electrical systems, pressurized lines, suspended loads, mechanical tension, and hydraulic pressure. When these energy sources are not properly controlled, isolated, or verified, the consequences can be immediate and severe.
Mike Freeze Project Senior Safety Manager
As leaders and builders, we must maintain a strong awareness of where energy exists and how it can be unexpectedly released. This starts during planning and continues through execution in the field. Verifying proper lockout/tagout procedures, ensuring equipment is fully de-energized, and confirming that residual energy has been released or controlled are critical steps that protect our people. These discussions should be part of our work planning, pre-task planning, and daily conversations in the field. Reducing SIF exposure requires strong engagement, attention to detail, and the confidence to pause work when something doesn't feel right. When we strengthen our hazard recognition, reinforce energy control practices, and maintain open communication across our teams, we reduce risk and continue building a culture where safety is truly embedded in how we work. Our ask this month is simple: slow down before interacting with equipment and verify energy isolation.
Stay safe,
Mike Freeze Project Senior Safety Manger
February | Show Me The Numbers Renewable Energy
2025 Jan - Feb
2026 YTD
2026 February
Trade Hours
235,092
174,189
86,240
McCarthy Hours
531,995
671,134
367,097
Total Hours
767,087
845,323
453,337
Trade TRIR Trade Partner Recordable Count McCarthy TRIR McCarthy Recordable Count Total TPIR Total Project Recordable Count
0.85 1 0.38 1 0.52 2
0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0
0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0
SIFp Rate (lower the better) MVP Failed % (higher the better) MVP Rate (lower the better) Obs. Rate (lower the better)
6.99 1.91% 78:1 439:1
3.31 2.03% 67:1 287:1
4.41 (+2.37) 2.10% (+0.16) 63:1 (-9) 268:1 (-45)
Project Highlight | Waterloo Solar At Waterloo, the team continues to find creative ways to reinforce MVP commitments. During a recent allhands meeting, a PM shared a short safety poem to keep safety front-of-mind and emphasize participation in MVPs as a way to identify trends and improve conditions.
Waterloo Solar | Safety First At Waterloo Solar we start each day with a plan to work the safest way. Panels shine and the work moves fast, but safety is the job that must last. Check your gear, watch your crew, speak up if something doesn't look true. Because the real power on this site you'll see is everyone going home safely.
MVP |THA Champions
2026 February Safety Champions: (Zero fail percentages excluded)
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MVP Failures Champion: Bruce Anderson at our Echols/Cedar projects with 47 MVP Failures!
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Observation Champion: Joseph Gallagher at our Milford project with 45 Observations!
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THA Champion: Zay Thomas at our Echols/Cedar projects with 30 MVP’s!
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THA (% Fail, min. 8) Champion: Champion: Luis Beltran at our Milford project with 20% Failed! MVP Leader Ratio/Work Hours: Country Acres So lar Project with an MVP Rate of (27:1)!
Field Focus | Stored Energy & SIF Potential Stored energy is a common exposure across our projects and can drive SIF outcomes if not controlled. Before interacting with equipment, take a moment to identify what energy may still be present and verify that isolation/controls are in place. Examples of Stored Energy: •
Electrical Energy – Energized circuits, panels, or equipment not verified as de-energized (shock and arc-flash risk).
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Hydraulic Pressure – Lifts, heavy machinery, and hydraulic lines that retain pressure after shutdown.
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Mechanical Energy – Tensioned components or loaded mechanical parts that can release suddenly.
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Gravity / Suspended Loads – Materials, torque tubes, or components held by jacks/supports that can shift or fall.
Why This Matters (SIF Connection) Uncontrolled stored energy can release suddenly and with significant force, leading to: •
Struck-by
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Caught-between
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Electrical shock
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Arc flash
All of these are high-potential SIF exposures. Field Reminder: Before starting work, ask: "What energy is present, and how has it been controlled or isolated?"
Lessons Learned | Electrical Near Miss
Figure 1: Safety Flash showing expired and improperly tested rubber insulating gloves discovered during a site inspection. Electrical testing activities were stopped at several sites after it was discovered that rubber insulating gloves being used by electrical crews were expired or had not been properly tested.
Lessons Learned | Electrical Near Miss Continued What You Should Know: •
Rubber insulating gloves must be electrically tested at least every 6 months to ensure insulating integrity.
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Gloves must be visually inspected and air-tested before each use for holes, tears, punctures, and other damage.
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Leather protectors must always be worn over rubber insulating gloves to prevent cuts, abrasions, and punctures.
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Gloves must be properly rated for the voltage involved (ASTM Class 00, 0, 1, 2, etc.).
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Any gloves that are damaged, contaminated, or past their testing date must be removed from service immediately and replaced or sent for retesting.
The Ask – Immediate Electrical PPE Check Please ensure all projects conduct an immediate inspection of electrical PPE to verify it is in proper condition and within required testing/certification dates. This includes: •
Rubber insulating gloves and leather protectors
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Arc-rated clothing/suits
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Face shields and balaclavas
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Voltage-rated tools
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Any other PPE used for electrical protection
References: •
NFPA 70E Article 130.7(C)(7)
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OSHA 29 CFR 1926.97 and 1926.960 – Electrical Protective Equipment
2026 THA-MVP Goal | Double the Failure Rate We'll get there by: •
Reviewing smarter: Focus on THA content, not just signatures.
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Coaching for quality: Celebrate "good failures" and use them as coaching moments.
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Targeting high-risk work: Go deeper on electrical, lifting, heavy equipment, and BESS tasks.
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Closing the loop: Make sure every failed THA leads to a visible change in the field.
Doubling our failure rate means more chances to find and fix risk before it hurts someone—the kind of "failure" that sends people home safe.
Did You Know? – Behavior-Based Safety
Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) focuses on observing and reinforcing safe behaviors to prevent incidents before they occur. By paying attention to how work is performed and having open conversations about safe practices, teams can: •
Identify risks early and make real-time improvements
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Strengthen accountability and positive safety habits
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Build a stronger safety culture across the job site
McCarthy Reference: 1.12 Behavior Based Safety Procedure The newsletter now has better readability with all data-heavy content grouped together, making it easier for readers to find what they need! 1.12 Behavior Based Safety Procedure.docx
McCarthy | Toolbox Talk Links Controlled Access for Energized Areas.docx
Understanding Arc Flash_Shock Hazard Warning Labels.docx
Live Dead Live Testing.docx