Safety is paramount on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, which is why we have selected contractors who focus on keeping everyone safe, every day. We spoke to the Safety Director of Kiewit Ledcor TMEP Partnership (KLTP), the joint venture partnership responsible for the Lower Mainland portion of the Project, to learn more about his team’s safety culture and its key safety initiatives.
How would you describe KLTP’s safety culture?
At KLTP, safety is a mindset. Every individual in the organization is accountable and focused on what needs to be done to keep the entire team safe. We promote open and honest communication from the entire organization, and are constantly looking for ways to eliminate risk.
What are KLTP’s safety goals on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project?
Our goal is to work with ZERO INCIDENTS EVERY DAY! We want our team to go home each and every day without a single incident or injury.
What are some of the key safety programs/initiatives at KLTP?
We have many safety initiatives at KLTP but two of the core programs are our Craft Voice in Safety (CVIS) program and our Life Saving Actions (LSA) program.
Craft Voice in Safety (CVIS) creates a culture where every worker has a voice. Craft and staff collaborate to foster an environment where everyone is empowered. Ownership, communication and prevention help us to achieve our goal of Zero Incidents Every Day.
KLTP’s Life Saving Actions (LSA) program allows us to be proactive and eliminate risk of significant injuries and/or fatalities. The goal of LSA is to identify life-changing incidents or events ahead of time, and then develop meaningful plans to eliminate the risks.
What do you think is the most effective way to keep people safe at work?
Our most effective tool is Hazard Assessment. Whether it is the Job Hazard Assessment (JHA) attached to our detailed execution plans or our Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA) done at the workplace, hazard assessments allow us to do two critical things:
- Take the time to stop and identify all hazards in each step of our operation. Hazards may be physical (work overhead), ergonomic (repetitive strain injuries), chemical (fumes) or physiological (fatigue).
- Discuss with our crew and supervisors the safeguards needed to prevent incidents. Can the hazard be eliminated (1st choice)? Can engineering controls be implemented (2nd choice)? Are administrative controls required to reduce the risk (3rd choice)? Relying on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the last resort if all other reasonable means of eliminating a hazard have been ruled out.
How do you avoid experienced people becoming complacent about safety?
Experienced workers get hurt or have incidents as much as new workers for many reasons, mostly related to risk tolerance and complacency. Each day, we need to take the time to identify the hazards and ensure we avoid unnecessary risks. There are different ways to avoid becoming complacent, including talking about the work and hazards, and stopping and reassessing work throughout the day.
What safety advice do you have for people new to the construction industry?
New workers need to take their time and ask questions to make sure they’re following safe work practices and procedures. Many new people are afraid they’ll be laid off if they’re not being highly productive, so they may take unnecessary risks to impress their boss. Never do this. At KLTP, we either work safe or not at all.
