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FOCUS MEMBER
By Leslie Lord, Vice President/Deputy Director
Q&A
UCON asked member Greg Goebel, Jr. some questions on the importance of safety, and keeping it a top priority. GREG GOEBEL, JR., Operations Manager Goebel Construction, Inc. UCON Member Since 2014
Q
: What do you think motivates your people most when it comes to safety?
A
: Family. Everyone has someone who is relying on us to make it back home safely. It’s important we remember that not only are our clients, owners, and co-workers counting on quality and safety, but all the stakeholders back home are as well.
Q
: How do you get buy-in from your field personnel?
A
: Management must lead by example. Providing
the safety culture and showing the crews you’ve planned the job in a safe and thorough manner will garner their buy-in. Posters and phrases are nice, but do little if there is no follow through. I’m a firm believer in giving everyone the authority to stop and pause the work if something doesn’t look or feel right.
Q
: What has been the biggest change around safety since you began your career?
A
: There is less pushback from crews when it
comes to safety policies and procedures. I feel like the upcoming generation is more accepting of safety policies and procedures and realize the necessity of incorporating them into our everyday work plans.
Q&A—Just for Fun... •
First Job? I worked in a feed store in Arizona while going to college. I would deliver hay and feed to the ranchers.
34 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G
Goebel Construction, Inc. is a third generation, General Engineering Contractor servicing many of the bay area’s heavy industrial facilities. Connect with Greg at goebelconstructioninc.com.
UCON INVOLVEMENT Greg is involved with UCON and is currently serving on the following committees: • Laborers Craft Committee • Operating Engineers Craft Committee UCON Magazine’s In Focus is a new monthly feature introducing fellow contractor members and sharing ideas and best practices. For more information, contact Leslie Lord, UCON VP/Deputy Director, at (925) 855-7900, llord@unitedcontractors.org.