At Integrity Group, safety is more than just a policy; it’s a core value that permeates every aspect of our operations. We believe that a safe and healthy workplace is essential for both our employees and our business.
“Integrity has been built upon the premise of doing the right thing, and that means that the safety of our employees, customers and the public is our number one priority,” explains Jerry Myer, CEO and founder of Integrity, “We have a comprehensive safety program with active involvement from our ownership team and all levels of management. As an industry leader in safety practices and policies, we are committed to continuous improvement.”
The Importance of Focus
Integrity’s recent safety campaign, “Focus,” is an example of the continuous emphasis placed on safety at Integrity. The campaign highlighted the four states of mind that increase the risk of critical errors – rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency. The initiative aimed to deepen employees’ understanding of the importance of staying focused on their job tasks to prevent accidents and ensure a safe working environment.
“We wanted to bring attention to critical errors and how staying focused on your tasks is a key part of staying safe at work,” says Hilda Hoogstraten, Health and Safety Specialist at Integrity. “We broke the campaign down into five themes – stress, fatigue, multitasking, poor training and burnout – defining each and discussing how to identify their causes.”
Employee Engagement and Insights
At Integrity, safety is everyone’s responsibility. “For us, safety is not a top-down approach,” explains Shanna Groeneveld, Chief Strategy Officer at Integrity. “We empower our employees to identify safety hazards and work with us to find solutions. For this initiative, we wanted to engage our team of over 225 employees, across all departments, to share their personal strategies for staying safe on the job.”
Stress, fatigue and burnout all contribute to safety risks and employees are encouraged to take breaks when necessary. As Marc, Integrity’s Fleet Maintenance Lead shared, “Take a step back, take a break and be sure to recharge each day.” Lyle, a long haul driver for Integrity Post Structures, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of staying hydrated, recognizing the signs of fatigue and taking short breaks to stretch.
Avoiding rushing and multitasking were also highlighted as essential safety practices. David, a Lumber Yard Order Processor, suggested, “Focus on one task at a time by prioritizing, planning, and managing your time effectively.”
Proper training is another crucial component of a safe workplace. As Scott Myer, Integrity’s Chief Operations Officer explains, “Proper training is essential for ensuring employees have the skills and knowledge needed to perform their jobs safely.”
Taras, a member of the Integrity Building Components manufacturing team, shared how he and his colleagues apply crane safety training daily to their work. This dedication to ongoing training demonstrates the importance of continuous learning and development in maintaining a safe work environment.
Safety is our Priority
The “Focus” safety campaign at Integrity Group has underscored the fundamental truth that safety is woven into the fabric of Integrity’s organizational culture. By emphasizing the importance of focus and addressing key factors such as stress, fatigue, multitasking, training, and burnout, Integrity continues to reinforce their commitment to maintaining a safe and productive workplace.
