WASHINGTON, DC—Wherever you drive in Washington, DC, you're sure to encounter construction sites. A sign of the region's thriving building scene, these worksites represent a larger pattern of growth: changing neighborhoods, new business opportunities and employment for hundreds of people. They also represent a challenge that sits at the heart of every construction effort—to get the job done safely.

We have a responsibility to our fellow construction colleagues and their families, as well as our customers and the communities in which we live and work, to be committed to the safety, health and wellbeing of our workers. In an effort to inspire every person to be a leader in safety, engage workers and energize our Care for Life culture, Skanska initiated its first company-wide Safety Week in 2005. Recognizing a need to bring about positive change beyond our Skanska culture and projects, we were among the founding members to establish the first US Construction Industry Safety Week in 2014, which has gained traction throughout the larger construction community with 70 members and growing. The events of the week bring together partners across the building industry in focused activities to promote workplace safety, increase education about best practices, and reduce injuries and incidents at construction sites.

Working safely is about more than just physical safety—it's also about our mental health and wellbeing. Based on data from the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US experiences a mental health condition, such as anxiety and depression, in a given year. Such mental health conditions can significantly impact our ability to work safe, and so this Safety Week, and beyond, we are focusing on how we can support our mental health and wellbeing and the resources that are available.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1,000 construction workers died on the job in 2017, down slightly from the previously recorded year. This number is alarming to me as I think about those directly impacted by these fatalities: spouses, parents, children, friends and colleagues. The theme this year is “Safe by Choice,” and I believe it presents a perfect opportunity for our teams to discuss how important it is that we look out for each other and commit to making the most importance choice every day: to work safely or not at all.

Like a sports team that practices all the right things prior to a game, proper planning—and sticking to that plan—prevents incidents and injuries. Here are three areas to consider: how to start each day on the job site, tracking safety at the job site and addressing stress.

Starting Each Day with Safety

For workers at Skanska, whether in an office or on a construction site, each day starts with “Stretch and Flex,” a program implemented at all Skanska project sites and offices to warm up muscles and help prevent soft-tissue injuries. We follow “Stretch and Flex” with a brief meeting focused on communicating any potential hazards, engaging our workforce and getting them involved in planning for safety, and providing a daily reminder to put safety first. By summarizing the day's activities and incorporating the project subcontractors, the entire team begins each day on the same page.

Tracking Workplace Safety

It's important to then track safety performance based on key indicators. Are workers taking part in orientation sessions to learn about best practices in workplace safety? Are executive teams visiting worksites to make sure those practices are being used? Tracking incident rates and missed workdays can determine if the company is meeting industry standards, which are always tightening toward the goal of zero incidents.

Minimizing Workplace Stress

To address mental fatigue, workers can follow the mantra of the “Three R's”:

Relax: Recognize when you are stressed and make use of methods (regular exercise, making time for your hobbies and interests, yoga, meditation, etc.) to lower stress levels.
Recharge: Encourage your employees to wrap up work at a reasonable time and get enough sleep to return fresh and energized the next day.
Reset: Take regular small breaks to give your brain a chance to reset.

Commitment to Safety

During Safety Week this year, construction companies across the United States will conduct thousands of activities at construction jobsites and offices to communicate our commitment to safety not only to our employees but also to our sub-contractors, partners and customers. These activities increase awareness via various training, workshops, seminars with experts to raise knowledge and much more.

I'm proud to say that this commitment to worker safety is growing throughout the industry. This year, Safety Week 2019 is supported by more than 70 national and global construction firms comprising The Construction Industry Safety (CISI) group and the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) CEO Forum, all committed to inspiring everyone in the industry to be leaders in safety.

Creating a safe and productive work environment is critical for the stability and success of the construction industry. Engaging in training and conversations about safety programs and concerns builds an atmosphere where everyone is working together to bring every worker home safely every day. That builds success for the whole industry.

So, as you walk or drive by a construction site this week, know that you are witnessing a group of people building opportunities for the future on a healthier, safer jobsite. We are stronger and safer together.

Based in Washington, DC, Dale Kopnitsky is EVP and general manager of Building Operations for Skanska USA.

Instant Insights /

What Skanska Wants You To Know About Construction Safety Week

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