“Safety needs to go from being a priority to being a value. Priorities change, but values don’t.”

These remarks by J. R. Gray, Secretary – Kentucky Labor Cabinet, send a strong message that owners and construction firms should embrace.

Grayhawk, LLC has been a leader in changing the face of workplace safety in Kentucky. Nothing is more important than the safety, health and well being of our employees and those who surround us. Our goal is zero injuries and no lost time accidents. More than a priority, these core values are strongly supported by management and backed by continuing employee training, accountability and recognition. Safety is at the top of our daily and long-term visions of success. We want to be the contractor of choice for owners, general contractors and designers through our exhibition of excellence in safety.

Grayhawk, LLC employees receive the following training:

  • New employee safety and health orientation prior to jobsite placement

  • OSHA 10-hour safety training

  • OSHA 30-hour safety training for all foremen and superintendents

  • Foremen and superintendents are required to be familiar with CFR 1926 OSHA Standards and Applications

  • “Focus Four Safety Class” on the top four construction related causes of death (Falls, Electrocution, Struck By and Caught In Between)

  • Hazard recognition and correction procedures

  • Forklift, aerial lift, and powder actuated fastener training

  • Specific safety training for specific job functions

  • First Aid / CPR / Bloodborne Pathogens training

  • Hazardous materials

AGC/KY-OSH CHASE Program

In 2003, the Kentucky Chapter of AGC worked with the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program to develop safety criteria for construction companies. They developed the CHASE Program to offer participants a “volunteer program in order to develop a safer worksite”. It agreed on the need to develop a working relationship that creates mutual trust and respect for the roles of each organization in the construction safety process.

There are three levels of the CHASE Program: Red, White and Blue. The construction partnership program (in the Kentucky Department of Labor) verifies those companies ready for the Blue Level, which is the highest level of achievement. Requirements are steep for participants to be eligible for annual recognition and award. On February 7, 2004 Grayhawk, LLC was the first company to receive the prestigious Blue Level Award.

ABC STEP Program

ABC’s STEP Program recognizes the efforts of ABC members that strive to achieve effective safety practices at their firms and provides contractors with a tool to objectively evaluate their safety programs, policies, procedures and training.

The benefits of the program include an organized approach for analyzing and developing safety and loss prevention programs; a valid, objective method for measuring safety program improvements; and safety program performance recognition useful in business development.

Grayhawk, LLC has participated in ABC’s Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) Program since 2005. We have been honored with an annual STEP award certificate by ABC’s National Safety Committee each year.