Photo courtesy of DBM Contractors DBM’s safety director reports directly to the company’s board of directors, helping the safety program to operate independently.

AGC Safety Team member DBM believes it is important that the person who oversees safety is someone who does not work directly for the operations arm of the company. This allows a more objective approach to employee safety.

DBM’s safety director, therefore, works directly for its board of directors. Similarly, DBM’s safety committee works as an agent of the company board and has the authority and autonomy to run its safety program, with its own budget, in a manner that strives for an environment of zero incidents.

The safety committee consists of 50 percent field staff and 50 percent management. It holds regular open-door meetings, and employees are encouraged to speak up and be heard. Plus, the safety director conducts both announced and unannounced safety inspections and audits, and all incidents are reviewed by the safety committee, which determines if actions taken by the superintendents and foremen are sufficient.