The number one core value of Continental Building Systems (CBS) is SAFETY, with "the utmost concern for the safety and welfare of all individuals.
So it's no surprise that Continental Building Systems (CBS) is an industry leader in occupational safety and health. Consider the following:
But safety is about more than awards and numbers: It is about what matters most - keeping all employees, subcontractors, suppliers, vendors and project visitors free from harm.
Continental Building Systems knows that OSHA regulations represent minimum standards for safety. That's why we enforce the following rules on all CBS projects, in addition to compliance with all OSHA standards.
Continental Building Systems is the only Columbus-based contractor currently enrolled in the OSHA Challenge Program and actively seeking Star Status in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program for Construction (VPPC).
The VPPC is OSHA's premier partnership for companies with exemplary safety and health management systems. Acceptance into the VPPC requires companies to proactively and aggressively address safety and health issues in a cooperative effort with all project participants.
Prior to joining the Challenge, Continental was one of only seven general contractors recognized by OSHA as a Leader Contractor in the prestigious Builders Exchange/OSHA Partnership.
"Leader Contractors, like Continental, represent the best of the best and the cream of the crop in commercial construction," said Chris Matthewson, compliance assistance specialist with OSHA.
"In both performance and reputation, Continental has been a leader in construction safety for years. So it made sense for the company to officially become one of the first 'Leader Contractors' in the BX/OSHA Partnership," Matthewson said.
Continental Building Systems' safety director, Meg DeWerth, administers and implements the overall safety program for CBS, working closely with both field personnel and senior management.
Meg has over 15 years of experience in construction safety and is known as a leader in the industry by her peers. She was honored in 2001 by the Ohio Division of Safety and Hygiene for "meritorious service and outstanding effort and achievement in furthering the safety movement in Ohio". In 2004, the Builders Exchange created a new award, "The Meg DeWerth Industry Impact Safety Award" to honor her efforts in making the construction industry a safer place to work.
She is an authorized instructor for the OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Courses for Construction and is certified to teach American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED classes.
Tony Piccioni is Continental’s safety manager based in the CBS Pittsburgh office. Tony received a Bachelor of Science degree in safety sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has over 15 years of field experience in construction safety and health.
An authorized instructor for the OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Courses, Tony regularly teaches the 10-Hour Course for a construction association in the Pittsburgh area.
The mission statement of Continental’s safety committees is to support and educate CBS employees and subcontractors for the benefit, safety and well-being of all.
To achieve this mission, we have two committees – one in Columbus and one in Pittsburgh - that fulfill the following responsibilities:
The hands-on safety committees consist of a cross-section of job types, including superintendents, laborers and project managers that are rotated annually to ensure a high level of involvement with all CBS associates.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry recognizes the Pittsburgh safety committee as a “Certified Workplace Safety Committee.”
Continental Building Systems is proud to have been honored with a coveted Builders Exchange Safety Award for 10 consecutive years, including three safety awards in 2007.
In those 10 years, we received 16 total awards – eight for Safety Achievement and eight for Safety Innovations. The Safety Achievement Award is for outstanding safety performance and impressive OSHA incidence rates. Our lost-workday rates (also known as the OSHA DART rate for Days Away, Restricted or Transferred) consistently rank well below the national average for general contractors – with a rate over the past five years of 85% below the industry average.
In addition to the Achievement Award, we are proud to have received multiple Safety Innovation Awards for unique ideas that directly impact safety and health on construction sites. The award winning ideas, which are simple and practical, are implemented on CBS projects to help ensure the safety of everyone on site. Our innovations have included a roof warning line stanchion system, a concrete blanket roller, a ladder tie-off device and a fall protection anchorage point.
We are the only company to have ever received two Safety Innovation Awards in the same year – a feat we accomplished in both 2006 and 2007.
In addition to the BX safety awards, we have been honored with the Outstanding Safety Achievement Award from safety consultant, Stephen B. Ogle & Associates, Inc. CBS was one of only two companies to receive the award out of 114 of Ogle's clients.
Safety is the number one core value of Continental Building Systems. It is our clear objective to provide and maintain a safe work environment for all individuals. The compromising of this objective will not be tolerated.
To ensure this, our Safety Program involves education, inspections, compliance, reporting and, when warranted, disciplinary action. Continental Building Systems is an active participant in the OSHA Challenge Program and is committed to achieving Star Status in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program for Construction (VPPC).
Safety on the job site requires the cooperation and active participation of all employees, subcontractors, suppliers and vendors and is expected and demanded of all project participants.
It is our belief that job safety and profitability are the end result of the same process: good management.