The Importance of Audits and Inspections – October 2024 Safety Newsletter

October 28, 2024

The Importance of Audits and Inspections

Champions, we have a recent trend of completing Safety Audits without ANY findings. The team is doing a great job executing these audits and the number completed per job continues to improve. However, it’s essential to recognize that these audits are not merely a checkbox exercise; they should actively highlight observed behaviors, processes, and shortfalls. The absence of findings in past audits can be attributed to various factors, but identifying and addressing these findings is crucial for understanding and tackling the root causes.

Safety is the cornerstone of our work on every site. To maintain a safe working environment and continually improve our operations, we must continue to emphasize the importance of these safety audits. Safety audits are not just checklists; they are key to uncovering opportunities for improvement, keeping our workforce safe, and preventing incidents before they happen. Below, you will find a list of reasons why safety audits are critical to our success and how they foster a safer, more efficient work environment, thereby contributing to our Champions’ continued achievements.

1. Identification of Hazards

Safety audits help identify potential hazards that may not be immediately obvious. These findings provide an opportunity to address issues before they lead to accidents or injuries.

2. Continuous Improvement

Findings from safety audits drive continuous improvement in safety protocols. Each observation helps refine procedures, making them more effective and minimizing risks over time.

3. Trend Identification

Regular audits enable us to detect recurring safety issues and identify trends. Recognizing these trends helps prioritize high-risk areas and develop targeted solutions.

4. Preventing Equipment Failures

Safety audits often uncover maintenance issues or potential equipment failures. Addressing these findings helps prevent costly breakdowns and reduces the risk of injuries related to faulty machinery. Identifying issues at one site allows us to address those same issues before they occur on other projects.

5. Highlighting Training Shortfalls

Audits can reveal knowledge gaps among workers, indicating areas where training may be insufficient. Addressing these training deficiencies ensures that all employees are well-prepared to handle potential site hazards.

6. Promoting a Culture of Safety

Conducting regular audits reinforces a safety-first culture, demonstrating our commitment to employee well-being. The findings provide valuable learning opportunities and encourage proactive safety behaviors among the workforce.

7. Boosting Morale and Engagement

Employees feel more secure and valued when they see management prioritizing safety. Addressing audit findings and implementing solutions enhances employee morale and engagement.

8. Proactive Risk Management

Rather than reacting to accidents after they happen, audits allow for proactive identification and elimination of risks, which is key to preventing incidents and maintaining safe working conditions.

9. Cost Control

Promptly addressing audit findings can help us avoid the significant costs associated with accidents, including medical expenses, legal fees, lost productivity, and equipment repair or replacement.

10. Documentation and Accountability

Safety audits create a documented record of our safety practices and corrective actions taken. This accountability protects the company in the event of incidents and contributes to a structured, reliable safety management system.

Safety is an ongoing effort that requires commitment from every member of the team. By understanding the importance of safety audits, and diligently capturing and addressing their findings, we can create a safer workplace for everyone. Let’s use this information to work together towards a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that everyone returns hope safely at the end of each day.

Crew of the Month

When it comes to tackling tough challenges, the crew at Dale Hollow Dam is setting the standard for excellence! We are proud to recognize their outstanding work at the USACE Dale Hollow Dam in Celina, TN where we have been contracted through Shimmick Construction to carry out lead and asbestos abatement, sandblasting, and painting of the superstructure and spillway gates (Gates 1-6) at Dale Hollow Dam. Calvin Thompson’s crew has deployed a team of 20 skilled employees on-site during peak work hours.

The project mobilized on June 17, 2024, and is scheduled for completion in January 2025. The crew is conducting abrasive blasting using an ARS S6 Blast Recovery Unit with recyclable metallic abrasive. They then apply the Sherwin-Williams vinyl coating system applied to the superstructure and spillway gates which is approved by the USACE. The process for this project is extensive requiring one primer coat of Sherwin-Williams Zinc Clad 108 Corps of Engineers Vinyl-Type Zinc-Rich Impacted Immersion Coating at 2.5 mils DFT, followed by three coats of Formula V-766E Impacted Immersion Coating at 2.0 mils DFT per coat.

The dedication and hard work exhibited by Calvin Thompson’s crew at Dale Hallow Dam truly exemplifies what it means to strive for excellence. Their commitment to safety, quality, and teamwork has ensured the successful progression of this vital project. It is with great pride that we award them the title of Crew of the Month, because they are a prime example that we can be exceptional, and Exceptional is Our Standard.

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