Q: What role do superintendents play in safety overall?
Our superintendents lead the jobsite daily process. They walk each subcontractor through the JHA based on their scope of work. And because scopes change, it’s an ongoing process and conversation.
Then on a weekly basis, they lead toolbox talks focused on what’s happening on site at that moment.
If crews are working on ladders, the topic is ladder safety. If it’s scaffolding, it’s scaffold safety. If welders are coming in, it’s fire hazards and hot work permits.
It’s about keeping it relevant to what people are actually doing, not generic training.
And they also set the standard.
If a superintendent enforces PPE and expectations consistently, that becomes the standard for the entire jobsite. If they don’t, that sets a different tone. What they enforce day to day directly impacts how seriously safety is taken.
Q: How do you support superintendents in that role?
As Operations and Safety Manager, my role is to make sure they have the tools and resources they need and then continuously follow up.
We’re really proud of our more than 30 member team of full-time superintendents, and we invest regularly in their development. Twice a year we bring everyone together for in person training. We take time to review our safety performance metrics with everyone, and we also provide hands-on training opportunities. That can include training on specific equipment at jobsites, earning new training certifications, and refreshing CPR and first aid training.
It’s about reinforcement and making sure everyone is aligned.
Q: How does your safety approach benefit Caliber 1’s clients?
A safe job site is inherently going to be more efficient and effective.
It’s also going to be cleaner, more organized, and you’re going to have people who feel more comfortable working there. At the end of the day, the goal is simple: do the job and go home safely.
Q: What are you focused on improving right now?
Training and awareness is a big focus. We’re working toward having all of our superintendents complete OSHA 30 training so they have a deeper understanding of jobsite hazards. And beyond that, it’s continuing to get people to think about safety first.
A lot of times, someone might think, “I’ll just do this one thing quickly.” But that one moment is all it takes. Taking an extra 10 minutes to do something the right way can prevent an accident. That’s something we talk about a lot.
Q: What does safety ultimately come down to?
It’s about the safety first mindset. You can’t just focus on getting the job done. You have to think about how you’re doing it. That’s what keeps people safe.
Building Safer Jobsites
For Caliber 1, safety isn’t a single program or checklist. It’s a continuous process built on preparation, reinforced through training, and carried out by every person on the jobsite. Because at the end of the day, our goal is simple: do the job well and go home safe.
For more information on Construction Safety Week, visit https://www.constructionsafetyweek.com/.
