The success of an electrical contractor’s safety program could mean the difference between employees who go home at the end of the day and those who end up in the emergency room. Alterman, a San Antonio-based electrical contracting firm, realizes this fact and constantly strives to keep its workforce out of harm’s way. In recognition of its exemplary safety record, the San Antonio Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) recently honored Alterman with the Safe Specialty Contractor of the Year Award, which is based on a safety rate performance determined by OSHA standards as well as company safety policies and how they are enforced in the San Antonio construction industry. This is the electrical contractor’s third such accolade in as many years. In a separate presentation, the company also received the Specialty Contractor of the Year Award, again for the third year in a row.
“One of the main reasons our safety program is so effective is because it emphasizes personal accountability and consequences at all levels of the organization,” says Guy Katz, Alterman’s director of safety. “Since implementing these accountability and discipline policies, we have decreased our incident rate threefold. Working safely and effectively is a condition of employment.”
Employee-owned since 1984, Alterman provides installation, 24/7 service, in-house design, and engineering assistance, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), detailed estimates, and fast-track construction for a variety of electrical needs, as well as voice and data communications systems, video, access controls, security and surveillance systems, and alternative energy solutions for LEED certification.
According to the company, its incident rates have been well below the national average for the past three years. In addition, the contractor is a partner with the Safety and Health Agreement Regarding Enforcement (SHARE) program sponsored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and is one of only nine electrical contractors nationally to belong to the Electric Roundtable, an association of electrical service providers striving to be the best of class in all aspects of their business.
