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SALT LAKE CITY — Rocky Mountain Masonry employees start their day with a high five, but not just a simple slap of hands. In the morning everyone gets together and has a five-minute conversation about the day's activities and the risks involved with each task. They high-five and split off to accomplish the job at hand.
High fives have become an integral aspect to Rocky Mountain Masonry's comprehensive safety program. But the impactful safety tool originated from an OSHA fine.
"We were fined around six years ago," said Rocky Mountain owner Dan Wright. "We sat down with OSHA and they told us they had noticed a pattern with most masons. They wanted to know what we could do to make our people more aware of their surroundings. OSHA encouraged me and my employees to create something that we could use as a reminder."
With the help of Rocky Mountain Masonry employees, the brief daily safety meeting, now titled the High Five, was developed.
"It's just a five-minute meeting in the morning. We go through and address five to ten particular problems. We also use the meeting as a neutral zone," said Wright. "When employees feel comfortable talking, safety issues get resolved. That's what makes it work. Employees generated it. They are in charge of it, and we implement it and take the time, money and effort to make it happen."
When employees feel comfortable talking, safety issues get resolved. That's what makes it work.
–- Dan Wright, owner, Rocky Mountain Masonry
Because of their High Five program and other innovative and leading efforts in workplace safety, Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) has awarded Rocky Mountain Masonry a 2013 Charles A. Cain Safety Award. They are one of 12 companies to be highlighted this June, national safety month.
Fellow safety award winner D&A McRae loads crude oil from various oil producers in the central and southeastern portions of Utah. They believe in extensive training and reinforce their safety program with what they call a "check ride."
"The goal is to get one of our driver trainers or a member of management to go out with a driver on an observation ride once a quarter," said Rod Conrad from D&A McRae. "It's just a check to make sure the driver hasn't gotten complacent with the policies or procedures they should be following to make sure they come home safe every night because that's the main goal."
Safety programs can make a big difference not only in the lives of employees, but in a company's financial position. When a workplace injury happens, actual costs are estimated between 5 to 50 times the size of the obvious direct costs of medical expenses and salary for the injured worker. An organization may also be surprised to realize how much revenue is necessary to recover the costs associated with a workplace injury.
According to OSHA, costs associated with occupational injuries and illness can comprise as much as five percent of a company's total costs.
Preventing workplace accidents and injuries, aside from being the right thing to do, can save companies thousands of dollars on their insurance premiums and keep companies functioning at full capacity.
–- Ray Pickup, CEO and president of WCF.
"Preventing workplace accidents and injuries, aside from being the right thing to do, can save companies thousands of dollars on their insurance premiums and keep companies functioning at full capacity," said Ray Pickup, CEO and president of WCF. "Workplace safety must become a priority for every company. These award winners are leaders in their industries and leaders in safety. We applaud their efforts and urge other Utah companies to similarly focus on workplace safety."
This month companies and organizations throughout Utah will be celebrating and encouraging workplace safety. During the recently completed legislative session, the legislature passed and the governor signed SCR 9, Concurrent Resolution Designating a Week to Recognize Workplace Safety. The resolution designates the week of June 23-29, 2013 as Workplace Safety Week in Utah.
"Working together to make a safe environment for all is our goal," said Senator Karen Mayne who sponsored the resolution. "The cost of an accident, whether financial, emotional, and/or physical, is an injury to all citizens of Utah. Workplace Safety Week is an added push to enhance safety in the workplace. Our slogan and goal is to have No Workplace Accidents June 23-29. A week with NO accidents-a dream come true!"
Safety campaigns, media events, and outreach programs are being planned for Workplace Safety Week to inform the public and raise awareness of workplace safety.
Recipients of the 2013 WCF Charles A. Caine Workplace Safety Awards are:
- Central Utah Water Conservancy
- Salt Lake Community College
- Hughes General Contractors
- J&S Mechanical Contractors
- Rocky Mountain Masonry
- D&A McRae
- Kellerstrass Enterprises
- Fetzer Architectural Woodwork
- Juniper Systems
- Crawford Door Sales
- Mac's Mining Repair Service
- Snowbird Corporation
