Like many of us, safety doesn’t take a summer vacation - by Karl Hudson

Many of our friends in other industries are able to enjoy a more relaxed pace during the summer, but those of us in construction industry don’t have that luxury.  As our workload ramps up even further, it’s more important than ever to ensure that each of our employees goes home safely to his or her family every night.  Like so many of us, safety doesn’t take a summer vacation.

To help members hone their safety programs, ABC developed the Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) in 1989. Since then, this benchmarking and improvement tool has evolved into a world-class, safety management system that dramatically improves safety performance among participants regardless of company size or type of work. Participating ABC member firms measure their safety processes and policies on 24 key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents.

And it works.  Companies that participate in STEP operate 190% more safely than Bureau of Labor Statistics industry averages.  Those that achieve the two highest STEP levels – Platinum and Diamond – are 300% and 680% safer, respectively.

In May, ABC Massachusetts and the Gould Construction Institute recognized more than 50 member companies who are benefiting from STEP. But the program isn’t just about awards, it’s about overall safety performance.

If you want to sleep better during this busy season, why not join the ABC companies that participate in STEP? More information on the program is available here.

Next May, your firm could be among the ABC member contractors recognized for their safety achievements. And even more important, as a STEP participant, you’ll know that while safety doesn’t take a vacation in the summer, or any season, your company will be better prepared.

Karl Hudson is the chairman of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.-Mass. Chapter, Woburn and is vice president of L.C. Anderson, Inc., Brighton, Mass.