Photo by John C. Ryan Because General Construction works on hazardous jobs, such as the second Narrows Bridge in Tacoma, it has developed a program to identify each site's seven greatest threats to safety.

Management at General Construction Co. has taken a safety leadership role through its safety stand-down process. During the process, all production work is shut down for two or three hours to discuss safety issues at a project. Upper management participates by discussing recent company safety performance, hazard analyses and craft training.

Another safety measure taken at General is its “Seven Deadly Sins” program, where a list of seven items that pose the greatest risk to jobsite safety is developed for each project. Penalties for noncompliance range from suspension to termination.

The contractor has also initiated a process of micro inspections called “Take 60” in which staff and craft workers are to stop, observe, correct and resume work throughout the day.

Since complacency can be the downfall of a safety program, General has implemented increased awareness training, more safety signage and a recognition program.