Perry Engineering participated in the annual National Trench Safety Stand Down Week again for 2022. Trenching is one of the most hazardous tasks we perform, and the United States is on track for the highest number of trench deaths in the past 10 years. Each of our utility crews stopped work so that we could talk about working safely in the trench. All of these crews have been extensively trained in trench safety but stopping to talk about safety during the day really emphasizes the importance of it. It also allows the workers a chance to share personal experiences and discuss any problems or needs regarding trench safety.

Perry Engineering has chosen Jack Smoot III as our Safe Employee of the Month. Jack is an equipment operator, employed with us for 18 years. Our General Superintendent wrote, “I’ve worked with Jack on several occasions and he is serious and very conscious about working safely in all environments and is a good equipment operator.” Jack Smoot III is a good example of the Perry Priorities of Safety, Quality, and Production.

Perry Engineering has chosen Jimmy Meeks as our Safe Employee of the Month. Jimmy has been employed for 6 years as a skilled pipe laborer on a utility crew. He was nominated by his foreman who wrote, “Jimmy is a seasoned veteran of Perry Engineering. He is very knowledgeable of the hazards and dangers of pipe work and trenches. Jimmy is always willing to help and does anything he is asked to do. He knows his limits and safety expectations.” Jimmy Meeks exemplifies the Perry Priorities of Safety, Quality, and Production.

Perry Engineering participated in both the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-By Incidents as well as National Work Zone Awareness Week in April 2022. Struck-by incidents occur when a moving object strikes a worker, such as a machine, vehicle, or material that is being moved. These struck-by incidents are a leading cause of death among construction workers. Perry Engineering held a safety stand-down on each project with each crew to discuss ways to prevent these types of incidents, such as with pre-planning the work, thorough pre-use equipment inspections, avoiding backing and using safe backing procedures, avoiding distractions, wearing high-visibility protective equipment, and working safely near highway traffic, among many other prevention methods. A total of 63 employees participated in the stand-downs.

Perry Engineering recognized National Ladder Safety Month with ladder safety-oriented weekly toolbox meetings and a safety stand-down featuring a presentation by Werner Ladder Jobsite Safety Manager Donnie Souders. Knowing that falls are the number one cause of fatalities in construction, and a significant cause of injury and death at home, this training is vital to keeping employees safe both on and off the job. We discussed the proper types of ladders for given situations, pre-use inspection, and safe ladder usage. This is but a small part of our ongoing employee safety efforts.

Perry Engineering has chosen Robert “Dale” Runner as our Safe Employee of the Month. Dale has worked as a heavy equipment operator for 2 years. He was nominated by his foreman who wrote, “Dale is a hard worker. The first thing that runs through his mind is safety. He is always on time and one of the last ones to leave. He always watches out for others and explains things if needed.” Dale Runner exemplifies the Perry Priorities of Safety, Quality, and Production.