Daily safety coordination is a key investment at LBNL, particularly through the use of Plan Of the Day (POD) meetings. These meetings are crucial for maintaining control over task-level work and fostering high levels of communication between subcontractors. During POD meetings, subcontractors present their planned activities, identify potential hazards, and discuss any changes in work practices or environmental conditions.
Following the POD meeting, each subcontractor is responsible for completing, and discussing with their teams, a Pre-Task Hazard Analysis (PTHA) form. This form, which must be signed by all workers before physical work begins, focuses on identifying and mitigating risks associated with specific tasks. Unlike broader safety assessments, the PTHA zeroes in on the hazards of individual tasks, ensuring that safety measures are tailored to the complexity and risk level of each activity on the day that activity is to occur.
If conditions change or existing controls are found to be inadequate, work must stop immediately. The PTHA is then reassessed, updated, and re-approved before work can resume, ensuring that safety measures remain effective and relevant.
“Good Catch” Program from Overaa Construction
We sat down with Rob Borgese, Safety Engineer with Overaa Construction, to talk about his teams safety recognition program called “Good Catch”. Overaa Construction is currently working with PIMD to build the new SSM Welcome Center / Cafeteria.
Could you tell us a little about the “Good Catch” program?
A little over a year ago we started recognizing workers during our Plan of the Day who we felt went above and beyond to catch potential safety issues at the job site. These employees would speak up and notify the person in charge when they saw something that didn’t look right. As a result, we would sometimes have to stop work to avoid the near miss.
How are employees recognized?
We would buy construction type of goods, of high quality, such as tools or gear, and present these to employees who made a “good catch”. This often came with taking their picture with their prize and acknowledging them in the monthly reports we are required to submit to EHS.
Why do you think this this important?
The workers appreciate the recognition and it helps create a greater connection to the project. More importantly, it builds teamwork since they are looking out not just for their own safety but that of the entire project team. This behaviour hopefully encourages other workers to be more alert and also speak up when unexpected hazards arise. This improves morale and encourages a positive safety culture which aligns with the safety culture the lab regularly promotes. And, getting some cool tools and other gear is an added bonus!
