• Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • RSS
  • Sign In
  • My Account
High-Profile MonthlyNew England Facilities Development News
  • All News
      • Up Front
      • Groundbreaking
      • Topping Off
      • Ribbon Cutting
      • View All Up Front Stories
      • OnLogic-RearchOnLogic Celebrates Virtual Reality Groundbreaking
      • Special Features
      • Contributor
      • Green
      • J.E.D.I.
      • Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing (MEP)
      • Vision
      • Women In Construction
      • Regions
      • Connecticut
      • Northern New England
      • Popular Sectors
      • Cannabis
      • Corporate
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Interiors
      • Landscape/Civil
      • Life Science
      • Multi Residential
      • Restoration/Renovation
      • Retail/Hospitality
      • Senior/Assisted Living
      • Technology & Innovation
      • Other News
      • Awards
      • Community
      • COVID-19
      • Mixed-use
      • Municipal
      • National/International
      • Organizations and Events
      • People
      • Philanthropy
      • Products and Services
      • Real Estate
      • Training and Recruitment
  • Subscribe
  • Membership
  • Next Issue
  • Archive
  • Advertise
  • Podcast
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • A/E/C Associations
High-Profile Monthly
  • All News
      • Up Front
      • Groundbreaking
      • Topping Off
      • Ribbon Cutting
      • View All Up Front Stories
      • OnLogic-RearchOnLogic Celebrates Virtual Reality Groundbreaking
      • Special Features
      • Contributor
      • Green
      • J.E.D.I.
      • Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing (MEP)
      • Vision
      • Women In Construction
      • Regions
      • Connecticut
      • Northern New England
      • Popular Sectors
      • Cannabis
      • Corporate
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Interiors
      • Landscape/Civil
      • Life Science
      • Multi Residential
      • Restoration/Renovation
      • Retail/Hospitality
      • Senior/Assisted Living
      • Technology & Innovation
      • Other News
      • Awards
      • Community
      • COVID-19
      • Mixed-use
      • Municipal
      • National/International
      • Organizations and Events
      • People
      • Philanthropy
      • Products and Services
      • Real Estate
      • Training and Recruitment
  • Subscribe
  • Membership
  • Next Issue
  • Archive
  • Advertise
  • Podcast
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • A/E/C Associations
Contributor • Trends and Hot Topics

Building a Culture of Safety

October 12, 2016

by Larry Carpenter

Larry Carpenter,

Larry Carpenter

Having spent the vast majority of my career in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, I am fortunate to have gained a deep understanding of the special requirements and approach that these projects require of our industry. When it comes to safety at these facilities, whether new construction or renovations to existing facilities, zero failures is the bar by which these clients measure success.

Safety does not happen by chance. Planning, communication, and commitment are required by all participants. A truly safe project is one where the project is planned not only for the safety of the workers constructing it or the occupants during a renovation, but for the safety of all who use, operate, and maintain it throughout its lifetime.

One of my previous clients, EMD Serono, is at the forefront of such efforts. On one major ground-up project, they engaged the entire design, construction, and facilities team in a custom-created version of Harvard’s School of Public Health program “Safety in Design and Construction, A Life Cycle Approach.” The program highlighted how thinking differently about safety can impact the way the entire team operates. For example, the idea of using parapets wherever possible not only made safety for the roofing crews easier to manage, it left behind a condition that would be safer for the maintenance of the building’s rooftop equipment and negate the need for tie-off in most locations. Throughout the project, construction safety and maintenance, as well as aesthetics, function and cost, were constantly considered in the decision process.

EMD Serono’s efforts paid off. The program created a culture of safety within the project leadership team, and this mindset was instilled in every project participant, subcontractor, supplier, and worker. The team developed an entire program to encourage, enhance, and ensure the project would be safe for all. Worker orientations, meetings, training, and incentive programs were all part of this larger effort to establish and maintain a safety culture. The program was a success — hundreds of thousands of worker hours were completed with zero lost-time accidents recorded at project completion.

The open communication and team atmosphere that results from such an extensive safety program is contagious. A sense of community is formed on the jobsite — from the laborer cleaning, to the highly skilled specialty mechanics. Beyond just safety, the entire team feels invested in the quality of the project.

The culture of safety mentality has changed the way I do business permanently. Whether a life sciences, healthcare, corporate, or academic client, zero failure is still my measure for success for every client and on every project.

Larry Carpenter is project executive at Timberline Construction in Canton, Mass.

hot topics p1116
    FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmail

You may also like

Contributor • Featured

The Contractor’s Consent to...

June 24, 2022
Trends and Hot Topics

NAIOP Report: Industrial and...

June 15, 2022
Trends and Hot Topics

New Survey: Boston Area...

June 14, 2022
Trends and Hot Topics

University of Wyoming Study Finds...

June 10, 2022
Contributor • Featured • Life Science

Surfing The Life Science...

June 9, 2022
Contributor • Featured • Healthcare

Four Construction Considerations...

June 3, 2022
Contributor • Featured • Healthcare

Restoring Trust through Dignified...

May 26, 2022
Contributor

For Multifamily Leaders, ESG...

May 26, 2022

View the June 2022 issue!

Read HP’s 2022 MEP issue!

Read the WIC 2022 Supplement!

Check out the 2021 Annual Green Supplement!

Read our annual supplements!

  • Green2021.png
  • WIC2022.png
  • MEP2022.png
  • Vision-2019.png

HIGH-PROFILE MONTHLY
615 School St.
Pembroke, MA  02359
Phone: 781 294 4530
Fax:  781 293 5821
info@high-profile.com

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • My Account

Stay Informed

Sign up for Fast Facts Friday, our weekly e-newsletter, and stay up-to-date with the latest industry news!

Sign up
Subscribe to High-Profile Monthly to receive an email notice of each new article!
Loading

Copyright © 2022 High-Profile Monthly.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • RSS
  • Sign In
  • My Account