Implementing a Health and Safety Strategy for a Data Center Build
Challenge
While providing on-site construction safety representation for a client on a greenfield data center build project, the Antea Group representative identified elevated metrics regarding the frequency of incidents and injuries. After performing a root cause analysis, Antea Group and the client concluded that the general contractor was neither implementing nor enforcing an effective safety program. Antea Group’s on-site representative met with the client to discuss possible paths forward. After discussion, Antea Group and the Client informed the general contractor that they had developed the beginnings of a plan to remedy the solution but required input and participation by the general contractor. The problem was to be addressed by regrouping project leadership and establishing a new focus on environmental, health, and safety (EHS) objectives and expectations.
Solution
Antea Group, with input from the Client, developed a three-stage plan to assist the general contractor in improving EHS performance.
Step One: Review with the general contractor the rules, regulations, and expectations of the client alongside applicable state and federal regulations.
Step Two: The general contractor will immediately implement and enforce all client EHS requirements, conveying targeted messaging through toolbox talks, stand downs, and daily teaching moments.
Step Three: Antea Group will conduct oversight of construction efforts and assistance the implementation and enforcement of best practices and EHS requirements, as well as identification, monitoring, and reporting of specific EHS metrics.
Result
At the end of the 90-day period, leading indicators suggested that the best practices implemented were improving EHS performance, and by the 180-day mark the targeted lagging indicators confirmed that facility EHS performance had dramatically improved and client goals were being achieved. The improved EHS performance allowed the general contractor to keep the project on schedule by avoiding potential incident-related work stand downs and by continuously improving efforts associated with construction site housekeeping and maintenance.
