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Safety

A job is not successful unless it is done right and everyone goes home safe. We accept nothing less.

EVERYONE GOES HOME SAFE. 

At Hawkins, safety starts before work begins. Planning, coordination, communication, and execution all operate through one standard: protecting our people, our partners, and the communities around us. 

The Numbers Don't Lie.

We measure, track, and review safety performance continuously because standards require accountability. From leading and lagging indicators to field audits and leadership oversight, Hawkins uses real data to drive safer outcomes.

0.64 Current EMR

Far exceeding industry benchmarks.

100+ Employees OSHA 30 Certified

Over 100 employees trained through our in-person OSHA 30 program in the last three years.

20+ Years of Exceptional Safety Performance

Decades of disciplined, measurable safety excellence.

Experience Modification Rate (EMR)

Close Up of worker cutting rebar

EMR is the construction industry’s benchmark for evaluating safety performance. A 1.0 reflects the industry average. Anything below that signals stronger-than-average safety outcomes.

Site Safety Representative (SSR) Program

The Site Safety Representative (SSR) Program reinforces Hawkins’ belief that safety belongs to every level of the workforce. Our field teams are empowered to identify risk, uphold standards, and protect one another in real time.

Craftsman-Led Safety

SSR team members are active field employees who help implement and uphold our Safe Production approach, bringing real-world insight to every jobsite.

Proactive Risk Identification

By focusing on leading indicators, SSRs help identify and address potential hazards early, before they impact crews, subcontractors, or site operations.

Accountability at Every Level

The program builds shared responsibility across the workforce, reinforcing that safety is everyone’s job.

How the SSR Program Works

Weekly SSR Audits

Consistent Jobsite Reviews
SSR team members conduct weekly safety audits, walking the entire jobsite using standardized checklists and safety meeting tools.

What’s Evaluated

  • Potential hazards and imminent danger situations
  • Jobsite conditions and safe production practices
  • Positive safety behaviors from crews

Clear Documentation
All observations are recorded, ensuring visibility into both risks and successes.

Follow-Up & Escalation

Weekly Safety Meetings
SSR team members review audit findings with crews, reinforcing safe practices and addressing site-specific risks.

Escalation Process
If safety concerns are not resolved in a timely manner, SSRs elevate them to the Superintendent and Safety Director for action.

Authority & Responsibility

Stop Work Authority
ALL employees are empowered to immediately stop any imminently dangerous activity.

Required Reporting
All incidents and corrective actions are documented and reported to leadership to ensure accountability and resolution.

SAFETY & TRAINING RESOURCES.

Hawkins safety and training resources are built for real-world conditions, led by experienced professionals, and designed to prepare every employee to meet the Hawkins standard on every job.

Safety Planning

 

Safe Production Policy

Safety planning is part of how we run every job at Hawkins, and part of our commitment to the people doing the work. We don’t treat safety as a separate step. It’s built into how we plan, organize, and execute the work from start to finish. Our “Safe Production Philosophy” outlines how that approach shows up in all our operations and in every project. 

View Policy

Other Safety Initiatives

  • Prebid Safety Assessment before project award
  • Project Hazard Assessment 

 

Jobsite Safety in Action

Site Safety Representatives (SSRs)

  • Perform weekly reporting across active jobsites
  • Identify potential hazards and define mitigation strategies before work progresses

Regular Site Evaluations

  • All projects are evaluated every other week by the Hawkins Safety Department
  • High-profile or complex jobs are reviewed twice weekly to maintain elevated oversight

Hawkins Walk Around App

  • Custom-built tool developed by Hawkins
  • Requires pre-operation safety checklists before equipment use
  • Reinforces consistency, accountability, and task readiness from the start

Frequent Safety Meetings

  • Monday Toolbox Talks focused on OSHA standards and jobsite priorities
  • Morning (AM): Review daily work plans and identify risks before work begins
  • Afternoon (PM): Debrief the day, reinforce successes, and address improvement opportunities