Managing Industrial Construction Safety in Southeast Texas

Abstract

The construction industry on average has a higher rate of occupational injury than most other industries. However, steps can be taken to reduce worker risk through the effective management of controllable factors. These controllable factors can be managed through an aggressive safety program with emphasis on hazard awareness, safer work practices, and employee involvement. While the initial cost impact to a company to establish a sound safety program can be substantial, the long-term benefits can lead to overall cost savings that may outweigh the costs of implementation and management. This paper highlights some of the areas addressed by Mason Construction, Inc. in the establishment of its safety program. Mason is a merit shop contractor with approximately $15 million annual revenue in the civil sector of the petrochemical industry of southeast Texas. Through the use of quantifiable data and multiple examples from this case study, it is shown that the benefits attributable to a strong safety program outweigh the costs of the program itself.