News
MC Industrial Achieves Another Record Year for Safety
MC Industrial is known for solving some of the most complex industrial construction challenges within set budgets and time frames, but the number one priority is always safety. This safety first focus is clearly evident since the company did not experience any lost time due to injuries in 2009 and 2010. In addition to an recordable incident rate (RIR) well below industry standards, MC Industrial worked and managed over 2.8 million manhours with subcontractors and recorded zero lost-time accidents within the same time period.
When safety is priority one, it protects MC Industrial’s most valuable asset:
its people
While it is important for our numbers, the primary reason why safety is important is to protect are employees and their families because it is the right thing to do. From the first day, when an employee attends orientation, even before stepping on a job-site, MC Industrial’s safety program is communicated with clear expectation and a consistent message of commitment and enforcement. Every potential worksite accident is preventable if the right safety plan is in place from day one to eliminate hazardous conditions. That’s why MC Industrial addresses and resolves all potential safety issues in the planning phase – before construction ever begins – with everything from Safe Work Plans (SWP) to Task Hazard Analysis (THA). Specific “preconstruction” safety procedures and processes implemented by MC Industrial include:
• Site Specific Safety Plans (SSSPs) for every project
• Safety plan review for all projects
• Staff involvement in the daily THA process
• Craft supervision in planning work
A safe work environment requires a management team and skilled workforce capable of avoiding potential accidents. This requires extensive training, proper safety tools and a clear understanding of the safety plan at all levels. According to MC Industrial President Tom Felton, “Safety is everyone’s responsibility at MC Industrial. Everyone knows how dangerous construction is, and the one thing that our employees’ do that I’m most proud of is that they take care of each other and focus on safety. Our ultimate priority is to ensure that each of our employees returns home safe every night to their family.”
Safety is a never-ending job at MC Industrial
Another reason for MC Industrial’s superior safety performance record is because the subcontractor and their team receive an extensive worksite safety overview prior to actual construction. During the “preconstruction” phase the subcontractor tours the project site to identify the safety culture, job layout and current activities. As an added precaution during this phase, MC Industrial reviews and comments on the subcontractor’s Site Specific Safety Program. When it comes to safety, nothing is left to chance. A common goal for all projects is that if a job cannot be done safe, it should not be done.
Workers work safe not because they have to, but because they want to. From the beginning, employees receive the necessary physical and educational tools to do the job safely. MC Industrial’s safety director Steve Miller goes a step further and meets regularly with all workers to gather information and feedback in an effort that continually fine-tune safety efforts. “Everyone is held accountable at all levels,” said Steve Miller. “Reaching this milestone is a great accomplishment and is attributed to everyone at MC Industrial making safety the top priority each day. Our project management teams have a clear understanding of our commitment to safety.”
If a safety issue ever arises during actual construction, the Safety Work Plan is revised to address and eliminate the potential hazard. These ongoing efforts have led to the Associated General Contractors (AGC) recognizing MC Industrial’s safety record numerous times. In addition, MC Industrial received the 2009 National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee (NMAPC) Zero Injury Safety Award as well as the Certificate of Merit Award for both the Holcim (US), Inc. and East Kentucky Power Cooperative projects.
Hoping for and thinking about creating a safe work environment does not make it happen. It takes commitment – both mentally and financially. At MC Industrial, it revolves around four basic tenets: communication, training, motivation and monitoring. Every employee that steps foot on a MC Industrial project, including subcontractors understands our safety expectations.