Workplace Violence: How Gregory Construction Creates a Safe Work Environment
Workplace violence is still one of the leading causes of fatal occupational incidents on job sites currently, coming in at third overall. A lot of workers report workplace violence encounters each year; however, even more cases do not get reported at all.
Gregory Construction has worked the last 158,618 Man-Hours without a recordable incident. While we don’t have exact answers for how we’ve avoided incidents of workplace violence, we have a pretty good idea: Core values.
Why Core Values Matter
At Gregory Construction, we constantly talk about our core values of excellence, integrity, communication, and safety. Not only so, but we reward people who exemplify our core values on a quarterly basis to encourage putting our words into practice.
If your team sometimes struggles with workplace violence, look at the root problem. It could be that your team needs direction and purpose in their work. When you fundamentally live out your core values from the leadership team to the office staff to craftworkers in the field, there’s a sense of camaraderie among the team.
In the Bible, it says that “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17), and we see that happen constantly at Gregory Construction through the incorporation of our core values. When even one team member shows up to work with excellence and integrity, communicates effectively, and safely completes their job while looking out for others, it makes a difference. Their values are the iron that sharpens their team members and encourages them to do their own part.
Persevere and Repeat Yourself
Any safety coach will agree with the idea that the incorporation of values in your team’s behavior takes constant repetition. It can feel like beating a gong over and over again to no avail or like walking around in circles with no result. But remember that in Joshua the people of Israel walked around the walls of Jericho 6 days in a row (probably scratching their heads wondering what the point was), all for God to make a way for them on the 7th day.
Keep showing up, keep repeating safety tips, and keep putting in the good work. Plant seeds of encouragement, live out your core values, and reward team members who go above and beyond for the team. Eventually, you’ll see a change in your team!
If you see something, say something.
If an incident occurs or there is an issue that arises that becomes violent, please report it. Remember, if you see something, say something. Also, no matter what your role on the construction team, choose to lead with core values. Be the iron that sharpens your team.
