Celebrating Safety Excellence During National Safety Month

“Working safely may get old, but so do those who practice it.” – Author unknown

June is National Safety Month, an initiative of the National Safety Council focused on promoting safety awareness and preventing injuries and fatalities across the United States. The non-profit organization notes that construction is one of the most dangerous industries, accounting for approximately 20% of all workplace fatalities.

“Safety is not a gadget but a state of mind.” – Eleanor Everet, safety expert.

In 2024, Ross Group reached a milestone that demonstrates the dedication, vigilance, and culture of care that defines our team: 15 years with no OSHA Lost Time incidents. How did we achieve this remarkable record? By creating a deeply rooted safety culture that guides every decision we make—empowering workers to recognize hazards, take ownership, and contribute to an injury-free work environment.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” – Benjamin Franklin

To demonstrate this safety culture in action, we asked some of our Site Safety Health Officers (SSHOs) to share the most important tasks they do each do to ensure safety on their worksites. For each of them, safety begins with presence and awareness.

Gary Harp starts his mornings by walking the site, taking note of any changes from the previous day, and checking in with workers—not just to ask about their tasks, but to see how they’re doing and whether they need anything to work safely.

Canyon Deem echoes this hands-on approach, conducting multiple site walks throughout the day and maintaining open lines of communication with subcontractors. He addresses any safety concerns immediately, ensuring that issues are resolved before they become risks.

Likewise, Armida Soto spends her time observing work in progress, correcting unsafe practices in real time, and inspecting tools and equipment to ensure they’re in proper working order.

Shane Johns adds that frequent site walks, strong team relationships, and incentive programs all play a role in reinforcing a culture where safety is second nature.

“The safety of the people shall be the highest law.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero

Another aspect of safety culture is motivating workers to follow crucial safety protocols, which can be as much about leadership as it is about rules. Gary reminds the workers on his sites that “every safety requirement exists because someone, somewhere, was hurt.” He encourages education and innovation, always looking for better ways to work safely. Shane also emphasizes the importance of training, coaching, and discipline.

Canyon seeks to build personal relationships with subcontractors to foster a safety-first mindset. By establishing mutual respect, safety becomes a shared priority, important to all. In the same way, Armida leads by example—offering calm, respectful corrections and taking the time to explain why certain actions are necessary.

All the SSHOs also incorporate incentive programs that recognize and reward safe behavior. For example, in early June, Shane’s Fort Sill construction site held their monthly “WHY WE WORK SAFE” luncheon. In attendance were USACE stakeholders, subcontractors, and the Ross Group Team—all focusing on the topic of heat stress.

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing.” – Pelé, world famous soccer player

Staying informed about the latest developments in construction safety is another cornerstone of our success. The SSHOs rely on a variety of trusted sources to stay informed and compliant. These include online resources, corporate guidance, regular communications from OSHA, and membership in safety-focused organizations.

“For government jobs, it’s good to have a close relationship with all safety/QA(quality assurance) onsite,” notes Armida.  “They will inform you of any changes that will be made on the EM385-1-1” (safety training requirements).

“You don’t need to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

According to the Associated Builders and Contractors 2025 Health and Safety Performance Report, an average of three people are fatally injured in the construction industry every workday. Ross Group’s 15-year safety record stands as a powerful counterpoint to these statistics, representing our deep commitment to the well-being of every individual on our worksites. We will continue to invest in training, foster strong relationships, and embrace innovation—all in pursuit of one simple but powerful goal: to make sure every worker goes home safely to their loved ones.

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Want to see what safety excellence looks like in action?

Explore Ross Group’s portfolio of high-impact projects, discover how our safety-first culture shapes every job we take on, and find out what it’s like to build your career with a team that puts people first. Visit withrossgroup.com to learn more.