Every June, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District recognizes National Safety Month and takes time to reinforce the importance of safety in the workplace and across each of our projects. The Louisville District strives to complete projects ahead of time, under budget, safely; and June provides the perfect opportunity to focus on safety as construction projects are in full swing.
Safety ranges from wearing your hard hat and steel-toed shoes while on a project site, updating fire safety and emergency plans for office spaces. Safety in the district is a top priority, and it is essential to create a culture of safety.
According to the National Safety Council and the Army Safety Center, creating a safety culture includes evaluating your workplace for potential hazards, ensure proper guidance is available for employees, promote and reward reporting, and ensure leaders are engaged in maintaining a healthy work environment. Leaders can prevent injuries, illnesses and mishaps that damage readiness.
In the words of Honorable Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment), “Safety is taking care of our people. If we are successful in safety, we are successful in taking care of our people.”
The Safety and Occupational Health Office makes protection a priority.
One of the Safety and Occupational Health Office's goals is to enhance mission success and enhance the readiness of the Louisville District by providing safe and healthful solutions to protect lives and resources against preventable loss.
“As a safety professional, we take all mishaps personal and work hard to prevent mishaps from occurring. But safety takes all of us,” said Jeremy Ball, Chief of Safety and Occupational Health.
“Safety takes discipline to put in the work such as relevant work task safety meetings, safety training, routine inspections, risk management, identifying and controlling hazards with our activity hazard analysis form, putting safety first when compiling our budgets, incorporating safety policy, never taking shortcuts, and holding everyone accountable.”
Ball also emphasized that safety is not meant for just one person to manage.
“We are all safety officers. When you witness someone not following established safety procedures, address it. Don’t just tell them they are doing something unsafe, show them how to execute that task safely,” said Ball. “Lead with safety by setting the example, this is especially true for our leaders and supervisors. Set the example by doing the routine safety duties routinely.”
“Safety isn’t just a supervisor or safety office responsibility. It takes all of us," Ball said.
For the summer months to come, keep personal health and protection in the forefront of your mind. Whether it is during boating and fishing season, vacation or working on site and in the office, keep one another and our community safe.