Branch Builds announced it has achieved Diamond in the Associated Builders and Contractor’s STEP safety management system. Founded in 1989, STEP participation demonstrates safety leadership and a cultural commitment to safety performance.
STEP applicants measure their safety processes and policies on 24 key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents.
Through BranchSafe, The Branch Group aims to promote a safe and healthy work environment so that its employees return home safely every evening. This is achieved with an emphasis on relationships founded on mutual benefit and respect, a commitment to exceptionalism, and ownership in everything we do. The partnership between BranchSafe and ABC STEP made this award possible.
“As an industry, it is our responsibility to ensure our workers go home in the same –or better—condition than when they arrived on the jobsite every day,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC vice president of health, safety, environment, and workforce development. “By participating in STEP, Branch Builds leadership has demonstrated a commitment to creating the conditions for all to do their work without incident. By implementing proactive safety measures, such as toolbox talks and sound substance abuse policies, Branch Builds is committed to consistently raising the bar when it comes to safety performance.”
According to ABC’s annual Safety Performance Report, applying STEP processes dramatically improves safety performance among participants regardless of company size or type of work, and can reduce recordable incidents up to 85%, making the best-performing companies 680% safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry average. Ratings range from Diamond, the highest, to Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Participant.
To learn more about the STEP program, visit abcstep.org.
