How long have you been in the construction industry?
I have worked in the construction industry (specifically construction safety) for roughly 6.5 years. I am relatively new to O&G, about 9 months with the company.
How did you get started in the construction industry? If this is your first construction job, tell us about what you did before entering the industry.
I started in the industry after completing my master’s degree in public administration. While my original intent was to enter law enforcement, I ultimately chose to take an opportunity to work for a construction firm out of NYC, working in Manhattan, covering safety responsibilities for a large project in midtown. I knew very little about what the role would entail, but I became a sponge and learned very quickly thanks to some co-workers who took me under their wing and showed me the way.
What do you enjoy most about working at O&G?
Despite being such a large company with several hundred employees, the small family-owned feel is still there where everyone knows each other and wants to work together.
What motivates you in your career?
I never envisioned working in the construction industry, but now that I am, I strive to be the best construction safety professional I can be. I am always looking for opportunities to learn and educate myself to be a valuable asset to my co-workers.
How does the company support you in your role?
O&G has the buy-in and backing for safety from managers and executives at various levels of the company. This is critical when building and maintaining a safety culture.
Please share your top safety tip.
Safety isn’t one person’s responsibility but a collective effort from workers and trade partners. It takes a group to construct a building or pave a road, and that same principle applies to establishing and maintaining the safety culture on these projects.
