Photo courtesy of Cobra Building Envelope Contractors Cobra tracks near-miss reports electronically and then conducts trend analyses to spot patterns that need correction.

Cobra’s comprehensive safety efforts include a buddy program through which new hires are assigned mentors who coach them on safe work practices and Cobra’s safety culture. At the end of the mentorship process employees are evaluated to determine if they can work independently or require further coaching.

Cobra, an AGC Safety Team member, made two innovative changes to its safety program this year.

The first is a program to encourage employees to report near misses. Cobra immediately sends this information to management and site supervisors on projects spread throughout the Northwest. This information allows site supervisors to evaluate whether a similar risk exists on their projects. Near-miss reports are also tracked electronically, and Cobra conducts a trend analysis to spot patterns in need of corrective action.

A second change was to tie Cobra’s safety performance to the company’s year-end bonuses. Everyone benefits financially when safety is a priority.