Spring Safety Campaign seeks to involve everyone

  • Published
  • By Vicki Peters, AEDC Contributing Writer
  • AEDC/PA
Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) collaborated with its parent company, Jacobs Engineering, which is took part in a consortium of 31 engineering and construction companies who joined together to raise safety awareness.

As a result, those companies sponsored a Safety Week 2014, May 4-10.

Rather than having a single week devoted to this initiative, ATA is using the resources from the initiative for a Spring Safety Campaign which will run through May and June, explained ATA Safety, Health and Environmental Director Catherine Plunkett.

"Our goal for the campaign is not only to raise safety awareness but to spread our Culture of Caring to everyone we come in contact with," Plunkett said. "We need the engagement of all employees to make this a success."

According to Craig Martin, Jacobs President and CEO, the goal of the safety awareness initiative is to improve safety practices and unite the entire construction industry in making a commitment to be leaders in living and promoting a strong safety culture. In emphasizing the company's attention to safety, Martin stated, "At Jacobs, BeyondZero® and our Culture of Caring compel us to focus on safety every day - on every task - as the number one priority in our jobs and in our lives."

The five focus areas of ATA's safety campaign are slips, trips and falls; driving; hand safety; height safety; and home safety, according to ATA Safety and Health Manager David Dawkins.

"A variety of different resources will be available," Dawkins noted. "These include posters, videos, checklists, activities and even children's coloring books. Many of the activities provided are suitable for both the office and field environment."

Dawkins emphasized that the campaign is being rolled out through ATA's BeyondZero Communication Team (BZCT), with members working directly with management and employees to select materials that best fit their work locations.

Team members represent various departments within the company and are working to engage all employees in the campaign. BZCT members are Doug Miller, Jimmy Burrows, Justin Garrard, and Bob Williams from Test Asset and Support; James Ordway and Maynard Schewe from Information Technology; Mitch Kendrick and Edd Walker from Mission Support; Kayla Fann and Gail Holder from Performance Management; and Jason Waller and Matt Wilson from Test and Evaluation.

While Jacobs and ATA have outstanding safety records with injury rates well below industry average, CEO Martin notes that, "One incident is one too many. Truly extraordinary safety requires more than an intellectual commitment; it requires a deep emotional commitment. If each of us can truly connect heart and mind in these commitments, then collectively we have the ability to transform our company, our industry and more."

Martin challenges every employee to get involved and to spread the Culture of Caring both on and off the job.

"Have you ever had a personal 'A-ha' moment when it comes to safety? What's your reason for taking responsibility for your safety and the safety of those around you? Share a story of your own. Pass it on. Together we can be leaders in safety," he said.

Employees who want to share their personal stories are encouraged to submit them to their organization's BZCT representative.