MANAGING INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS

The construction industry on average has a higher rate of occupational injury than most other industries. However, steps can be taken to red uce worker risk through the effective management of controllable facto rs. These controllable factors can be managed through an aggressive sa fety program with emphasis on hazard awareness, safer work practices, and employee involvement. While the initial cost impact to a company t o establish a sound safety program can be substantial, the long-term b enefits can lead to overall cost savings that may outweigh the costs o f implementation and management. This paper highlights some of the are as addressed by Mason Construction, Inc. in the establishment of its s afety program. Mason is a merit shop contractor with approximately $15 million annual revenue in the civil sector of the petrochemical indus try of southeast Texas. Through the use of quantifiable data and multi ple examples from this case study, it is shown that the benefits attri butable to a strong safety program outweigh the costs of the program i tself.