By DAN JOHNSON

This year we will celebrate our efforts over the years and the changes that have taken place to improve physical safety and mental wellness across the industry.

Safety is at the core of everything we do in the construction industry. Ensuring every team member returns home to their family safely is the most important thing we can all do. In 2014, more than 40 companies worked together to launch the first Construction Safety Week. Recognizing that the foundation of the industry is its people and that our top priority should be keeping team members safe, companies are coming together to improve safety on a scale not seen before. This week-long campaign is now our industry’s annual opportunity to recommit to safety together.

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Safety Week. This year we celebrate our efforts over the years and the changes that have taken place to improve physical safety and mental wellness across the industry. Though we have made important strides in construction safety, there is still much more work to be done. We are pleased to announce this year’s theme, Value Every Voice. This theme is a natural evolution from the 2023 theme, Strong Voices, Safe Choices, and it encompasses four key components.

1 – Drive personal ownership: Recognize the role and responsibility of every individual to own their environment and safety, and the importance of building confidence in every team member.

2 – Encourage and welcome new ideas: Show that being more inclusive with safety planning, programming and practices leads to deeper trust, respect, unity and understanding within teams.

3 – Embrace every voice: Emphasize the importance of listen-ing and accepting what’s communicated in the workplace to ensure every voice is heard and strengthen trust and respect within teams.

4 – Strengthen our safety culture: Elevate individual contributions to our collective success in building a stronger safety culture that inspires and impacts the future of our industry.

All AGC members are invited to be part of Safety Week 2024 from May 6-10. During the week, teams are encouraged to come together to think critically about safety and what each person can do to help keep everyone on the jobsite safe.

Offering free resources to support Construction Safety Week, our website has a robust variety of tools for companies to take advantage of and use throughout the year. These resources include everything from daily topics, event ideas, discussion topics, family activities and more. These resources are also translated into Spanish and French. All of these tools are available on our website, https://www.construction-safety week.com/plan-for-safety-week/resources/.

We are also looking to welcome new firms to become members, sponsors and advocates this year. This is a great way to show your company’s support for Safety Week and to be recognized as an industry leader. Online registration is now available on our website, making it easier than ever for companies to get involved. To learn more about how to register for Safety Week 2024 and the many ways your company can participate, celebrate and show your support, visit https://www.constructionsafety week.com/about-us/support-safety-week/.

We continue the work to create a stronger and safer industry for every team member. This year, we look forward to celebrating 10 years of improving safety performance in our industry.

Dan Johnson is CEO of Mortenson and is chairman of the AGC of America’s Construction Safety Week this year.