Successful Construction Safety Week in Chicago
We Are Stronger and Safer Together
At Mortenson, we are committed to eliminating any worker injury. Every Mortenson team member, customer, trade contractor, supplier, architect, and engineer can expect that our job sites place their personal safety as our highest priority. We believe in embodying the mentality that we are stronger and safer together. Mortenson’s CEO & President, Dan Johnson, notes, “There is an ultimate goal, and that is the goal of zero injuries. And not only is that a goal, it’s an attainable goal.”
Mortenson’s Chicago office celebrated Safety Week—which took place May 1-5—with various events throughout the week focusing on the theme “It’s in our hands.” Kicking off the festivities, Senior Vice President, Greg Werner, spoke at the site of our Mercyhealth hospital project in Rockford, IL on Monday May 1st. He reminded everyone to keep it our personal obligation to ensure that everyone goes home to their families and loved ones in the same condition as when they arrived. He also thanked all of the workers for their efforts in keeping the jobsite safe. Additionally, on Monday, DEWALT visited the College of Lake County job site to demonstrate their dustless tool options which was well received by the workers.
On Thursday May 4, our QTS data center project in Chicago was visited by OSHA Area Director Jim Martinek to expand upon the importance of safety across the industry. The Northwestern University Welsh-Ryan Arena project received a lunch courtesy of K-Com on Friday May 5. After which, K-Com Safety Director, Sandy Yu, addressed the group, making special note about PPE on jobsites, specifically the importance of wearing hard hats. She went on to share a personal story on how one of her team members’ lives was protected from serious injury by this very important piece of equipment.
Our participation in Safety Week at the Wheaton College Armerding Center for Music and the Arts project concluded with some very special lunchtime entertainment thanks to a three-piece jazz band—all of whom are students within the college. Prior the main event, Senior Superintendent, Ryan Poropat, reflected on his over 17 years’ experience in the industry and his time with Mortenson’s safety culture, stating, “Safety Week is important because no matter how safe everyone thinks they are, every once in a while we have to pump the brakes and listen to what everyone is saying to us. It keeps us grounded in the fact that it is up to each and every one of us to continue to do what’s right and do what’s safe.” With approximately 70 craft workers on site and more to be added in the next few weeks, the renewed knowledge that Safety Week brings is appreciated more than ever.
Michael Wilder, Dean of Music at Wheaton College, spoke highly of the project team and the work being done by Mortenson. “We are so absolutely excited for this new chapter,” he said, “Faculty members and students have been looking forward to this new facility for decades.” He also notes “In placing such a high priority on safety, the Mortenson team is clearly saying that they value each worker and the shared conditions that are theirs in this space. It is inspiring to see each of you attend to the tasks that are yours, while also actively caring about the work and safety of the others around you.“
For more information on Mortenson’s commitment to safety, please contact our Safety Director, Terry Klingele.