Egan Company
Construction/specialty contractor
Brooklyn Park, MN
900 employees | 185 sites | 6 EHS professionals
Sometimes standing up for safety is the measure of a company’s worth.
That was the case for Egan Company, a construction/specialty contractor company. As construction is deemed essential during the pandemic, and construction continues, ensuring safety on job sites has risen to a new level.
“We’ve recently had a large project and general contractor fail to align with CDC guidelines for practices, distancing and disinfecting at the jobsite,” explains Reid Romer, safety director. “Despite facing obstacles for schedule and liquidated damages, our CEO reached out to the vice president of this general contractor and informed him that we will not be returning to this project until they align with CDC guidance.”
Egan offered support and solutions to the general contractor but ended up pausing work on the project until this was resolved.
Driving safety from the top level is a best practice at Egan. Their Safety Sponsorship program involves the CEO, president, senior vice presidents and vice presidents conducting at least one safety audit of a job site monthly.
While the senior level has specific safety practices, employees have their own set. All employees are empowered to:
1) Conduct their work in a safe manner.
2) Stop work immediately to correct any unsafe conditions.
3) Take corrective action so that work may proceed in a safe manner.
Participation by employees is a way that Egan approaches continuous improvement. Field leaders conduct a daily safety plan. “In doing so, it is an expectation that a dialogue takes place and our employees participate by sharing experiences, tips, best practices and concerns,” says Romer.
Rewards for safe behavior is also part of the company’s strategy. A Safety Incentive Program issues Safety Bucks that can be used to purchase merchandise from the company store. Bucks can be earned by taking an online safety course, attending community safety programs, and submitting suggestions through the company’s good idea program.
These programs, and others the company uses, contribute to the Egan’s long-standing culture of safety (the company was a previous winner of the America’s Safest Companies award in 2014). “Safety needs to be demonstrated and communicated continuously to make an impact,” says Romer. “All employees need to be comfortable and confident that their input regarding safety concerns is encouraged and that their concerns will be addressed promptly. Engaging our people at all levels allows for a dynamic exchange of thoughts, ideas and concerns that makes up some tremendous options to give our very best to safety.”