PLH Group: Eleven Entities Committed to ONE Safety Culture

One Small Step for Safety

Whether you are a company executive, safety professional, manager, crew leader, team member, or contractor, you are responsible for your safety and the safety of those around you. In the office or on a jobsite, you are challenged to meet goals each day, quarter, and year. Sometimes the complexities and regulations of safety can seem daunting. However, ignoring safety principles and practices could mean the difference between life and death. Some people say, “The bigger, the better.” But when it comes to safety, you don’t have to think big. In fact, sometimes the smaller the action, the more effective it is. So consider this: What is one thing that you can do today that will make for a safer workplace tomorrow?

PLH Group is a multinational, full-service power line construction, pipeline construction and specialty contractor that is comprised of 11 entities that serve the electric power line, pipeline, oil field electrical, and industrial markets. With employees performing a variety of duties in various work environments throughout the United States and Canada, creating a unified safety culture takes commitment. The company strongly prioritizes safety as a fundamental element of its organization, relentlessly encouraging and practicing an undivided safety culture.

The practice of safety is an ethic and value ingrained within each of PLH Group’s unique entities. The company not only encourages, but expects complete dedication to the elimination of unsafe practices and conditions. Each PLH Group employee, from executive manager to crew members has Stop Work Responsibility. Stop Work Responsibility gives each employee the authority to stop work if the situation appears unsafe or the task is unclear. PLH Group’s company values and deliberately designed programs– including rigorous training and PREVENT system— provide all workers a fundamental safety culture. The safety mindset is then relinquished to the authority of the entities, teams, and individuals to structure according to their specific regions, work environments, businesses, and duties. Entity developed and managed programs include coordinated toolbox talks, task-related safety minutes, Safety POSSE, Random Acts of Safety, Good Catch, and Safety Excellence Program.

“Our approach to a unified safety culture not only encourages, but empowers each individual to be an active participant in safety,” said Elsie Bentley, PLH Group vice president of Safety, Health, and Environmental. “We aren’t asking each crew member to come up with an organized safety program. We take care of that on the corporate end. What we ask of our crews is to continually work with a diligence to safety that aligns with our safety culture. It’s amazing to actively witness our safety culture as it manifests itself throughout two countries and countless locations as each individual takes steps to build off of our fundamental safety values toward a safer tomorrow.”

These steps, both big and small, include:

• Participating in national safety events, like Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s National Safety Stand-Down Week and Safe + Sound Week
• Encouraging wellness while participating in community events, like the American Heart Association Heart Walk and The Fallen Linemen Organization race
• Joining forces with industry partners to reduce injuries by identifying best practices as part of the Electrical Transmission and Distribution (ET&D) OSHA Strategic Partnership
• Participating in industry-recognized training and apprenticeship program

“We don’t have to reinvent safety to make our workplaces safer, nor do we want our safety practices to stand in the way of job duties. In fact, we want to do just the opposite. We strive to build upon the safe-work processes of PLH Group to make the work of each employee safer and more effective,” added Bentley.

Safety practices, improvements, and mindsets do not have to be revolutionary. In fact, one of the most effective ways to a safer workplace culture is a continued commitment to make each day safer than the last. So again, what is the one thing you will do today to impact your safety environment tomorrow?