Goodfellow Bros. has been honored with the 2nd Place Heavy Division Safety Excellence Rose Award by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) Oregon-Columbia Chapter. This prestigious recognition highlights the company’s unwavering commitment to workplace safety and its efforts to foster a strong safety culture across its operations.
At Goodfellow Bros., safety is a core value. The organization firmly believes that every employee has the right to work in a safe environment, ensuring that every team member returns home in the same condition they arrived in that day. This guiding principle has shaped the company’s proactive approach to risk management, employee engagement, and safety training.
A Culture of Safety Excellence
Goodfellow Bros. has cultivated a robust safety culture that emphasizes management commitment, resource allocation, and active employee participation. From the moment an employee joins the company, they are empowered to take ownership of their safety and that of their peers. Employees are encouraged to identify and correct unsafe conditions, refuse to perform hazardous tasks, and stop operations when an immediate danger is present.
The company continuously reinforces this culture through weekly safety walks, pre-task planning, and ongoing safety training. By equipping employees with the knowledge and confidence to recognize risks and implement control measures, Goodfellow Bros. ensures that safety is an integral part of daily operations.
Leadership’s Commitment to Safety
Senior management at Goodfellow Bros. plays a vital role in driving safety excellence.
Their approach includes:
• Establishing stringent safety policies and procedures that often exceed industry standards.
• Allocating significant resources to safety programs, including training, equipment, and technology.
• Conducting regular site inspections, audits, and safety meetings to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Fostering open communication, encouraging employees at all levels to voice safety concerns and suggest improvements.
Proactive Risk Management
Risk identification and analysis are key components of Goodfellow Bros.’ safety strategy. The company employs pre-job planning, site assessments, and real-time safety observations to proactively mitigate hazards. Additionally, its innovative hazard alert system ensures that lessons learned from past incidents are shared across all projects, further reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement.
Engineering Controls & Safe Work Methods
To enhance workplace safety, Goodfellow Bros. prioritizes Job Hazard Analysis process and implementation of engineering controls when hazards cannot be eliminated. Daily operations also incorporate collaborative safety planning between project teams, field leadership, and craft employees. From structured pre-task meetings to real-time hazard discussions, workers are actively engaged in identifying risks and implementing solutions.
Training & Subcontractor Accountability
Goodfellow Bros. invests heavily in employee training and certification tracking through its safety management software, ensuring that every team member is up-to-date on required competencies. New hires undergo a rigorous mentor program and orientation to instill the company’s safety values from day one.
The company also holds subcontractors accountable through comprehensive safety agreements, requiring them to submit site-specific safety plans, appoint safety representatives, and comply with State and Federal regulations and Goodfellow Bros.’ safety standards.
Emergency Preparedness & Recognition
Goodfellow Bros. maintains a detailed emergency response and crisis management plan, including site-specific evacuation routes, muster points, and designated safety coordinators. Employees receive thorough training on emergency protocols to ensure swift and effective responses to any crisis.
To recognize outstanding safety efforts, the company has established an employee recognition program, featuring monthly safety excellence awards, owner and customer recognition awards, and Quarterly Milestone Awards for projects that achieve zero-at-fault-incidents.
Innovative Safety Strategies
Innovation plays a crucial role in Goodfellow Bros.’ safety success. The company’s dig ticket program, which maps out known utilities before excavation, has significantly reduced utility strikes. Additionally, its monthly safety review meetings provide valuable insights into project safety trends, allowing management to address potential hazards before they become incidents.
A Well-Deserved Honor
Goodfellow Bros.’ dedication to workplace safety and its proactive safety culture have made it a standout in the construction industry. Receiving 2nd Place in the Heavy Division for the Safety Excellence Rose Award is a testament to the company’s leadership, innovation, and commitment to protecting its employees.
“Goodfellow Bros. remains steadfast in its mission to achieve zero incidents and to ensure that safety always comes first,”said Division President Joe Correy.“I am so proud of our region for their commitment and care for one another.”
As the company continues to set new safety standards, this recognition by the AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter reinforces its position as a leader in construction safety.
