OCE Safety Moment

FROM DAN OBERLIES - DIRECTOR OF SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

We are already into the final ninety-days of our safety year. At this point, although we are beating the industry average when it comes to OSHA indices, we should never be satisfied until we achieve ZERO injuries and vehicle crashes. Anything more than ZERO means we accept incidents, and that is not where our sights are set. As we embark on Human Performance Improvement (HPI) as a significant forward step in our safety culture, we know that humans make errors. Our employees are not infallible. We must accept this fact and focus on the system and culture we operate in to truly impact safety performance. With this in mind, we are learning how to use the tools of HPI to experience more positive safety outcomes: questioning attitude, self and peer-checking, proper use and adherence, and three-way communication. Each of these tools have a time and place for use dependent on the circumstances. It is clear to me that we have frequently and effectively used these tools over the last nine months to ensure personal injuries and incidents did not occur on our job sites. Have we been perfect? No we have not. We continue to learn from our errors, and work to improve our systems, policies, procedures and best practices. We must continue setting each other up for success, meaning we each do our part to meet or exceed the expectations set for us, and in-turn, set our peers and colleagues up for safety success. Additionally, listening to our employees and allowing them to develop best practices, standard operating procedures and processes will help us eliminate hazards and precursors to errors. Those closest to the work have the best ideas and solutions. All of us collaborating together will only make our work sites and work practices safer, resulting in fewer personal injuries and incidents. So with less than ninety days left in the calendar year, let’s out perform the first nine months. Let’s put our HPI Tools to work. Maintain a high level of situational awareness, peer check and self-check throughout the work day. ZERO is our goal every hour of every day!

Thank you for your commitment to safety every day.

SAFETY SHOUTOUTS

We had a good catch on the job in Brockton, MA. One of our police details was feeling light headed and sick. Our on-site OCE safety rep, John Spoth, went over to check on her. She went to her car to get a drink to rehydrate, but came back with a Red Bull. John quickly stopped her and got her a bottle of water with electrolytes to drink instead. After, she sat in her car for a bit to cool off and started feeling much better. The temperature was about 97 degrees and the heat index was well over 100 degrees. We are all taking the appropriate steps to make sure we are all hydrated and keeping cool while still getting the appropriate work completed. This is a prime example of being your brother/sister's keeper and being aware of your surroundings. If John had not been present, this could have had a much different outcome.

- Submitted by Scott Rohr, UG/Civil Foreman LU 86

Chad Anderson was at the right place at the right time to help out a motorcyclist who was filling up her bike at a gas station. The driver pulled the fuel nozzle out of her tank too soon and the extra gasoline splashed up into her eyes. Chad responded quickly with a bottle of saline eyewash solution. Chad stayed with the driver until her eyesight was cleared up and safe to continue her ride home. Thankfully, Chad's quick response saved this person from chemical burns and permanent damage! - Submitted by Matt Yonts, Senior Safety Supervisor

Jim Lewis has been working on the SU Stadium Lighting Project with an apprentice, Brevyn Barnhart. While removing safety barriers, Jim noticed a student needed to ascend a flight of stairs that was still blocked. Jim moved the barrier allowing the student to continue. As soon as the student reached the top of the stairs, he spun around and collapsed. Jim ran over to the student and asked him if he was okay but noticed his eyes were rolled back and was foaming at the mouth. Close by was the dean of students, Dana Broabunx, who assisted in calling 911. Emergency responders were eventually able to get the student to a stable condition. Thankfully Jim was in the right place at the right time!