Joe Whiteman, director of safety services The Voice Newsletter February 2022
Introduction
The ASCC Safety Training Assessment and Recognition program (S.T.A.R.) is a benchmarking and continual improvement tool for concrete contractors to assess their safety program, identify a path for improving performance and culture, and promote “buy-in” within all levels of their company. Members first establish a baseline against industry accepted criteria. As companies improve, they reassess and resubmit their criteria, having incorporated recommended management practices, programs, and initiatives. As they improve, companies realize an elevated safety awareness and build a stronger safety culture throughout all levels of their organization.
What is It?
The Safety and Risk Management Council (SRMC) wanted to provide a road mapping tool to help members overall safety programs. While all contractors want and intend to work safe, it can be easy to get lost in the details. Where do you start? What are your priorities?
The S.T.A.R. program provides the plan and the contractor executes. As each company assesses where they are in their safety journey against a list of 15 Key Performing Indicators (KPIs), the plan for where to focus and what to improve becomes clear. Think of the S.T.A.R. program as a “living” Gap Analysis performed on a regular basis to identify areas of improvement within your safety program. With each reassessment cycle comes opportunities for measured improvement, and the possibility of achieving the next S.T.A.R. rating.
How Does it Work?
Each participant completes the initial application process and assesses their safety program status based on the 15 KPIs. Participants score their level of achievement for each component on a weighted point scale by documenting safety data such as TRIR and EMR. Based on the results of the application, and after review by the Safety and Risk Management Council, an initial star rating is awarded. Companies achieve a S.T.A.R. recognition level of Five, Four, Three, Two or One.
Once a company has received their initial rating the real work begins. Three years may sound like more than enough time to implement new best practices, initiatives, and programs, however while some can be implemented relatively quickly, realizing the measured safety performance data takes time. As companies climb the S.T.A.R. ladder, many of the initiatives that separate a Five Star participant from a Four Star participant and so on, are larger in scale and may require participation from ownership or operations.
Who Can Participate?
The S.T.A.R. program was developed to apply to concrete contractors regardless of scope or size. Whether you employ 25, 250 or 2500 craftsmen, the process works the same. The fundamentals of safety are the same as the recommended best practices, programs and initiatives found within the 15 KPIs. The KPIs and industry safety best practices are universal, and work for all companies no matter their size, organizational structure, or geography.
How will participating in the S.T.A.R. program improve my company?
Participation in the S.T.A.R. program sets companies on a path towards a world class safety program. Companies will realize greater employee involvement and pro-active mindsets that foster a robust safety culture.
Another benefit is setting your company apart from others as you strive to become one of the safest contractors in the industry. As the list of S.T.A.R. program participants grows, you will be part of a group of companies that share challenges and success with others participants. New opportunities for networking will be developed to ensure companies are afforded the resources and knowledge to help all be successful.