“If you’re going to do something, do it right.”
True job satisfaction stems from work done safely, correctly and with uncompromised pride. Elite craftspeople leave behind a standard of excellence worthy of their signature. They recognize that while speed offers temporary value, safety and quality endure. Ultimately, fast work loses all value if it results in injury or rework.
Craftsmanship and safety are inseparable. True professionals protect themselves and their teammates by mastering simple daily habits:
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) every time and encouraging others to do the same.
- Repositioning ladders instead of overreaching.
- Keeping work areas clean to prevent slips, trips and falls.
- Asking for help with heavy loads and staying hydrated.
Accidents happen in seconds, and one shortcut can impact dozens of lives. The decisions we make on the jobsite determine whether everyone goes home safely at the end of the shift.
Doing things the right way extends beyond individual effort—it defines organizational culture. We recently saw this in action during AWCI’s Peer Safety Review at CDM E&K in Omaha, Nebraska.
Contractor leaders opened their doors and jobsites to industry peers for an honest evaluation of their safety practices. By centering their operations on core values like respect, integrity and teamwork, E&K demonstrated true safety leadership. Opening your operations to peer feedback takes humility, but that commitment to continuous improvement is the hallmark of a strong organization, see page 8.
Our industry becomes stronger one decision at a time. Wear your PPE. Speak up when you see an unsafe condition. Take the extra minute to do the job the right way.
Work with skill, work safely and ensure everyone goes home healthy every day. Work safe. Work smart. Take pride in your craft.
Brian C. Allen is the president of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry and the president and CEO of Precision Walls, Inc. in Cary, North Carolina.
