The article from Oshkosh Northwestern, WI, by Post Crescent business editor Larry Avila proves that there are construction contractors that take safety by the Horse Sense method.

Boldt Construction fits that bill and strives to keep their employees healthy and safe while working on their projects in the Wisconsin area. They are to be congratulated in their efforts to accomplish their lofty goal of "Zero Accidents" and "Safety; A Way of Life" initiative on their job sites.

Posted May 3, 2008

Boldt shoots for zero injuries

Safety first Eighteen businesses across the state recently presented with Corporate Safety Awards by the Wisconsin Safety Council and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Winners are selected based on injury incidence rates the past three years. A total of 142 businesses entered the competition. Three Fox Cities-based companies were among the honorees: · The Boldt Co., Appleton · Kimberly-Clark Corp. Neenah Nonwovens, Neenah · Suburban Electric Engineers/Contractors, Appleton Web site: www.wischamberfoundation.org

Construction firm lauded for keeping workers safe
Winn

By Larry Avila
Post-Crescent business editor

APPLETON — If there's a time to be perfect, it's exercising safety on a construction site.

This week, 18 Wisconsin businesses were selected from a pool of 142 entries from around the state and presented with Corporate Safety Awards from the Wisconsin Safety Council and state Department of Workforce Development.

Among the honorees was Boldt Co., the Appleton-based construction firm. Winners were selected based on injury incidence rates over a three-year period.

"It's a stringent process but the competition has grown every year because companies want to be recognized for safety," said Bryan Roessler, director of the Madison-based safety council. "Judges, including safety professionals and college professors, look over the entries and analyze the data to determine who were the best."

Though they would not disclose the final numbers, the Boldt Co. over the past 13 years has averaged an incidence rate of 70 percent below the national average in the construction industry, Roessler said.

"Construction sites can be very hazardous because conditions can change hourly," he said. "They are an unbelievably safe company."

However, it's not perfect, said Jeff Johnson, vice president of human resources and risk management at Boldt Co. Its latest award from the safety council is its sixth in the 14-year history of the program.

"We are very satisfied and appreciate the recognition and it does show we excel in areas of safety," Johnson said. "But, until we get to zero accidents, in my mind we're not there yet."

The Boldt Co. recently launched Safety: A Way of Life, an initiative with a goal of improving safety companywide. Boldt officials say that the company has between 200 and 300 projects going at any given time, spread across the country, involving hundreds of workers.

"Safety is everyone's responsibility," Johnson said. "It's a concern for the whole organization."

The initiative involves education, he said. Making sure job sites are provided with safety protocols and materials they need along with staff training.

Boldt employees average between 70 and 75 hours annually in safety training. The company also has 12 full-time safety professionals that travel to the company's various job sites.

To further enhance its safety measures, Boldt recently purchased equipment including aerial work platforms and specialized scaffolding to minimize fall exposure. The company also has been more diligent at inspecting and turning in damaged or broken tools.

Johnson said safety training is a continuous process.

"It really is about making sure everyone at all levels of the company are aware that safety is a priority to the company," he said