When we say safety is our number one priority, we mean it. At the forefront of our business is the commitment we make to our employees that when they step on a jobsite, they will return home safe to their families each night. Learn how our safety team was recognized and how their safety practices have helped in our response to COVID-19.
Game Day
The purpose of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) is to recognize construction companies across the nation who excel at safety performance. A panel of judges from the national AGC Safety & Health Committee review submittals and then the finalists head to the AGC National Convention to compete for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in their division.
The different divisions included Heavy Construction, Utility Infrastructure, Highway & Transportation, Building, Construction Management and Specialty. The awards are based on more than just frequency rates, it is a combination of company management commitment, active employee participation, safety training, work site hazard identification and control, and safety program innovation.
Results
To compete, we had to submit an application that spoke to what safety looks like at JP Cullen. Our team was selected as a finalist and members of our safety team took the trip to Las Vegas to participate in the final rounds of competition. We were awarded 3rd place in the Building: 900,000 – 2 million manhours division and were the only company in Wisconsin in the category.
To be selected as a finalist in a national competition speaks volumes to the safety we have at JP Cullen. With stiff competition of over 60 other competitors, it is an honor to be recognized.
Our Team
Our safety team’s commitment to best-in-industry practices and protocols is key to our success in achieving the safety goals we set out for each year. Our Corporate Safety Director, Alex Ylvisaker, leads our team while working closely with all of our jobsite crews. In addition to our dedicated safety team, our Executive Management team has made safety a pillar in our company culture. Our owners walk with our president, division managers, and the job team to ensure a jobsite is operating safely, installing a quality product, and functioning efficiently.
Adapting our Safety to COVID-19
As the onset of the coronavirus hit the US, JP Cullen immediately established an internal COVID-19 Response Team led by company owners. Following CDC and State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services guidelines, this team augmented our nationally recognized safety practices with additional protocols and procedures for job site crews, including trade partners, and office staff to ensure the safety and health of all JP Cullen employees.
A few examples of new COVID-19 protocols on our jobsites include:
- Utilizing Daily Worker Screening Forms
- Revising stretch and flex, morning huddles, meetings and other procedures to comply with social distancing requirements
- Building our own temporary hand washing stations if unable to rent due to lack of available resources.
- Marking all frequently touched areas and hand-tools with blue tape to ensure those areas are cleaned routinely.
- Staggering jobsite entry/exit procedures, breaks and lunch times to comply with social distancing requirements
JP Cullen has always made safety on our job sites our top priority, and COVID-19 protocols are not taken lightly as our construction work continues to progress. Our safety team is dedicated to providing open and frequent communication about our processes and updates to keep our crews and communities safe.
Interested in how you can contribute during the pandemic? Click here to check out our recent blog post on local organizations that could use our help!
