SAFETY
the evolution of safety in the construction industry
MAY 2013
WHAT YOU CAN FIND IN THIS ISSUE A Note From Our Leaders PAGE 1 Co-Founders, Brad Bastian and Jeff Nielsen share how safety is a core value at BNBuilders.
The Evolution of Safety PAGE 2 Safety has evolved over the past few decades. Explore how BNBuilders is adapting and anticipating change while maintaining the safest jobsites.
Q&A PAGE 6 BNBuilders chats with Mandi Kime, Director of Safety at The Associated General Contractors of Washington (AGC).
What’s Happening PAGE 7 BNBuilders has been busy across the West Coast. Take a glance at what our people and our projects have been up to over the past few months.
Credits PAGE 9 Acknowledgements and thanks to everyone who contributed to this edition.
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A NOTE FROM OUR LEADERS Jeff Nielsen and Brad Bastian, Co-Founders
When we visit a BNBuilders jobsite, we get to see all the talented
In this issue we will share how safety has evolved in our industry and
people involved in building our projects – employees, suppliers,
our approach to developing safety systems and controls that have
subcontractors, and laborers. A busy jobsite is a real reminder of the
earned BNBuilders a reputation for quality and safety, locally and
most important work we do, creating a healthy and safe environment
nationally. For over a decade, the desire of our people to make a
supported by a culture of safety.
difference as a construction company, as individual people and as a community has been inspired by core initiatives – safety, community,
To us, safety means a commitment to our Freedom from Danger
innovation, sustainability and knowledge. Safety is always first, it’s
program, so our people get home to their families every night. 2013
what matters most.
marked a significant accomplishment for our firm – we received First Place for the AGC National Construction Safety Excellence Award. The
Many congratulations to everyone at BNBuilders for our First Place
purpose of the award is to recognize those construction companies
award, and mostly for your everyday commitment to a safer workplace.
who excel at safety performance. As we reflect on this national award and its importance to our core values, we are incredibly proud of our
Warmest Regards,
employees and their exceptional efforts. It is because of their hard work and forward thinking, that our projects are built safe. As a progressive builder we create a culture always looking for improvement. Our successful safety program and record is the
Jeff Nielsen
outcome of new ideas, pioneering technology, diverse tools and better solutions to hazards and concerns. These innovations and a genuine enthusiasm for what we do, make BNBuilders’ safety program one of the best in the nation.
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Brad Bastian
SAFETY the evolution of
The Great Wall. The Panama Canal. The Hoover Dam. The Empire State Building. The Golden Gate Bridge. These are extraordinary construction feats that fascinate us all. While these projects are remarkably built, the construction process impacted so many lives and reveals the history and evolution of safety. The Great Wall took the lives of nearly one million workers, while thousands of years later the massive suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin claimed the lives of ten construction workers. A lot has changed, but improvement is never ending. Our industry has seen safety regulations change exponentially over the past few decades, but safety excellence is less about compliance and more about culture.
BNBuilders stays at the forefront of best practices by focusing on eight key safety concepts. Below is an analysis of how safety programs have evolved in our industry and at BNBuilders:
then
now
Basic Compliance
Core Value
Reactive Response
Proactive Approach
Lagging Indicators
Leading Indicators
Commitment from the field
Commitment from the top
Conventional Standards
Open Dialogue
Incentive Programs
Empowered Employees
Outdated Practices
Advanced Technology
Tracking Zero Accidents
Tracking Near Misses
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“Safety is a team effort from our owners to field staff. It is everyone’s job to know the plan. Safety is always first.” Jeff Faulkner General Superintendent at BNBuilders’ Annual Safety Summit
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TWO MILLION
man-hours company-wide with no lost-time injuries and
ZERO RECORDABLE INJURIES in 2012 in the Bay Area
BNBuilders’ Success Factors
Innovation
Knowledge
advancement in technology. Being nimble and adaptive is essential in
paramount importance. In addition to weekly and monthly safety
having a successful safety program. BNBuilders developed a mobile
meetings, BNBuilders holds annual safety summits to inspire new
safety cart that could be stationed on site, in a critical space. Instead
ideas among all employees and to explore pioneering technology for
of a standard safety board, the cart enabled the team to review Job
safer projects. Everyone is empowered to give input in an open forum
Hazard Analysis on the spot and with a high degree of detail. With
on best practices and offer new solutions to hazards and concerns.
this advanced tool the safety performance of the entire team and
The summits generate diverse tools and resources that support a
subcontractors improved.
culture always looking for improvement.
Technology
Pre-Planning
cameras on cranes and camera systems to monitor jobsites, also lead
amount of pre-planning and coordination through site logistics
to improved safety practices in the field. Mobile tools including safety
and jobsite hazardous analysis plans ensure everyone thoroughly
audits on iPads have led to enhanced communication and effectiveness.
understands the safety plan. BNBuilders’ commitment to proactive
Additionally, 4D modeling allows better workflow on-site, less congested
safety is further recognized in mandatory OSHA training, resulting in a
work areas, and consequently a safer site. Technology also allows more
perfect record of over two million man-hours company-wide with zero
prefabrication creating the ideal safe work environment.
lost time injuries.
Safe practices are constantly evolving to keep in alignment with the
Introducing new technology through productivity tools, like hook
When it comes to construction safety, increasing knowledge is of
A successful safety program starts with pre-planning. A significant
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Q&A...
WITH MANDI KIME AT THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF WASHINGTON (AGC) How has safety evolved over the past decade? Employers have gone from reactionary safety changes, to proactive preventative measures. It is less common to hear contractors talking about a hard hat or eye glasses policy, now the cutting edge of safety is “prevention through design” where employers focus on engineering controls that eliminate the hazard before there is any exposure. An example of prevention through design is the installation of permanent fall protection anchors on a structure during the construction that remains after the construction has finished, allowing protections for future maintenance and construction activities. Another example would be to change the parapet height on a structure to serve as guardrails on a roof during the design phase, rather than having to install a temporary guardrail on a roof.
What trends have affected safety? The desire to completely eliminate hazards during the design phase is very common. There is also a lot more effort placed on properly planning work sequences through Job Hazard Analysis, team meetings, and site specific safety plans / efforts. There is also growing momentum for technological Mandi Kime is the Director of Safety at the AGC of Washington. She works to enhance safety cultures and compliance within organizations.
advances in safety. Using technology to our advantage for audits, communication, and tracking purposes, there is more information readily available to safety professionals than ever before. Another trend currently seen in safety is to use predictive equations when looking at your companies statistics to anticipate where injuries and accidents might occur. For example, using Near Miss Reports, property damage reports, safety observations from site visits, as well as accident / injury reports to evaluate where the company’s highest risks are, and then working collaboratively to address the recurring issues.
“I have seen so much greatness come from our industry. Contractors are problem solvers and they create our world as we know it! It is also so exhilarating to see the construction process unfold.”
How much does innovation and technology play into the success factors? Innovation and technology are HUGE in the safety profession. As with all industries, technology has infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Use of these technologies assists a company in their safety and production efficiencies, better communication, better responses to incidents, and quicker access to information and assistance than ever before.
What are the main criteria used to evaluate winners of safety excellence awards? Many different factors can be used. Primarily a review of safety statistics, including Experience Modification Rating, OSHA Recordable Rates, OSHA Lost Time Rates / Severity Rates, as well as worker’s compensation costs per worker hour. That only tells part of the story though, to truly evaluate a company for a safety award, without having the luxury of doing a site visit, you must also consider the other programs, services, and innovations they use. It also helps to hear from all levels of the organization to share how they are impacted by the safety programs and safety culture of the organization.
Being a winner of AGC safety awards consecutively for the past seven years, what factors have made BNBuilders’ safety program award winning? First and foremost, BNBuilders has never shied away from innovations. The team consistently evaluates their practices and works to provide new ideas to help create a better work environment. Using technology to their advantage, BNBuilders has developed innovations such as the Safety Cart, utilizing employee feedback to develop safety solutions, and as always, consistently holding people accountable to safety expectations. In addition, they empower their employees to be safety champions. BNBuilders is doing some great things. It is no wonder why the company has received the Grand Safety Award in the past in addition to being a category winner for seven years in a row. There is a distinct enthusiasm amongst the team at BNBuilders when it comes to safety.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING around BNBuilders
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1 - 2. Plymouth Housing Group’s Williams Apartment in downtown Seattle reaches substantial completion. 3 - 4. San Diego hosts a BBQ to celebrate the company’s AGC National Safety Award. 5. Seattle’s Fairfax Hospital for Universal Health System breaks ground. 6. Before and After: Bay Area’s Community Involvement Team volunteered for Rebuilding Together. 7. El Camino Hospital’s Annual Sapphire Soiree Fund-raiser 8. 275 Brannan’s Historic Renovation is underway in the heart of downtown San Francisco. 9. Arensica’s San Diego facility achieved LEED Gold Certification! BNBuilders • Safety 7
WHAT’S HAPPENING
around BNBuilders
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1. San Diego’s Community Involvement Team volunteered at the La Jolla YMCA’s Healthy Kid’s Day. 2. Seattle’s Sixth Annual Cinco De Mayo Fiesta. 3. BNBuilders brings in the fences at the Seattle Mariner’s Safeco Field 4. Onyx Pharmaceutical’s Headquarter Expansion in South San Francisco. 5. Legacy Partner’s Tenant Improvement in San Diego. 6. Bay Area’s Preconstruction Team Building Day, 7. Seattle’s Community Involvement Team volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club in Bellevue 8. Bay Area’s Tres De Mayo Fiesta to celebrate the company’s AGC National Safety Award 9. Celgene’s San Diego facility is pursuing LEED Gold Certification. BNBuilders • Safety 8
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CONTRIBUTORS Brad Bastian Jeff Nielsen Rick Philipovich Special Thanks to Mandi Kime at AGC of Washington. Cover Photos courtesy of Bernard Andre Photography. EDITOR Tiffany Avila CREATIVE DIRECTOR / DESIGNER Andrea Beard
The Quarterly is written and designed by BNBuilders. We are committed to the construction, architecture, and engineering communities and want to share our knowledge and passion with our industry peers. To comment or request copies of The Quarterly, please contact thequarterly@bnbuilders.com BNBuilders is a West Coast general contractor that specializes in highly technical commercial construction projects. BNBuilders has the experience and strength of a large contractor, but provides the personal service and economy of a local builder. We deliver complex projects for world-class leaders in the life sciences, biotech, data center, healthcare, education and technology sectors. Our diverse portfolio also includes retail, hospitality, and commercial projects for Fortune 500 clients. BNBuilders’ projects add value in our communities through innovation, quality and sustainability. BNBuilders is consistently at the forefront of new construction methodologies and best practices. We have key specialists in all areas of construction, including preconstruction, design-build, Integrated Project Delivery, LEAN, Building Information Modeling, and sustainability. Our firm is comprised of industry veterans with decades of experience, and diverse visionaries who push the limits to discover better solutions. The Quarterly is printed on 100% recycled paper with low-VOC ink.
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