91ÊÓƵ

My career in construction has opened up so many fantastic opportunities over the last 18 years. It has allowed me to participate in cutting-edge projects, work with creative people and get a behind-the-scenes look at fascinating industries. I have been to the tip of a rotating tower crane 10 stories above ground as well as in dark and cramped underground steam tunnels.

Along the way, I have looked for ways to make a lasting impression on people and our community here in Portland. For a long time, I assumed that legacy would come in the form of a building, but I have realized (perhaps because we often demolish obsolete buildings) that buildings last only for a season. The things that outlast buildings and projects are relationships, and I am extremely privileged to be participating in a safety mentorship program created by SafeBuild Alliance and funded through a generous grant from the MDU Foundation.

Ten member companies of SafeBuild Alliance have been partnered with MWESB-certified firms that have self-identified as wanting to take the next steps in their journey to an injury-free workplace. There are several reasons why this program is so unique.

First, it is recognition that safety for one is safety for all. The mentors are freely giving their time and resources to accelerate the progress of their partner firms. This comes in the form of monthly meetings and discussions as well as sharing of actual templates, forms and proven best practice programs that the mentors have used to develop safety cultures. Creating company safety culture is an enormous investment – one that small companies often defer for the more pressing issues of winning and executing work.

Second, it is unique because several of the mentors are partnered with companies that could be future competitors in the same specialty trade. Some people may feel that helping a potential competitor build safely is eliminating a differentiator that could jeopardize selection on new work. The way I see it is that it lifts up both boats in the harbor; the emerging firm benefits from measurable safety performance improvements and the established firm benefits from the credibility that comes from being a mentor.

Last, the program was designed specifically to accelerate the progress of motivated MWESB firms. There is no correlation between MWESB certification and low safety performance; accidents can and do occur at all companies. SafeBuild Alliance desires its membership to reflect the community in which we live, so we saw it as an opportunity to increase the diversity of our membership. The mentorship program has become a member benefit as we all benefit from the increased perspective our new members bring.

Skanska is partnering with Crestview Construction, an earthwork contractor; we are meeting directly with one of the owners, Mark Dominguez. His commitment to his employees is admirable. Although he has a generally good safety record, he has been very transparent that it has been mainly through good luck, and not focused planning. He sees creating a safe work environment as his ethical responsibility to his team; he wants to send each person home at the end of the day the same way they arrived in the morning.

However, Mark has been equally transparent in describing the challenges faced by small businesses. In addition to being the owner, he also is the safety director, business development manager and project manager; plus, he likely fills many other roles as issues arise. He would love to create a safety culture, but he has the very real pressure of staffing jobs and keeping equipment in good working order. I am optimistic that this mentorship program can help provide practical tools for Crestview and that we will all be able to increase our level of commitment to the well-being of our people.

The nine other mentor relationships are developing and going through similar processes. We are all learning from these relationships and have room for improvement. Moving closer to injury-free is a legacy that will endure in Portland and beyond. It is a worthwhile movement in which I am privileged to be involved.

Steve Clem is vice president of preconstruction at Skanska. Contact him at 503-382-0909. He also is president of the SafeBuild Alliance – a nonprofit organization working to achieve incident-free construction projects through the transformation of workplace cultures. For more information or to join, visit www.safebuildalliance.com.