Anyone familiar with a construction site knows the hazards in them can seem limitless. Graniterock is a California-based construction company named one of Forbes’ 100 Best Companies to Work for in America, and like other companies in the industry its sites often have an abundance of potentially dangerous material, there is a constant commotion to complete work and ensure stockpiles are kept up, and large vehicles are in and out on a regular basis.

One day Sergio Rubio, one of the company’s project managers, had a sense of urgency to get the crews started on their projects. He rushed to the site and pulled in next to a 10-wheeler, compromising his full vision of the site. His team had a quick health and safety meeting about the potential hazards on the jobs and then he divided up the crews and they went to their assigned locations.

On his way back to his truck, Sergio got a call on his cellphone. He ended his call, jumped back into his truck and threw it in reverse, using only his mirrors to back up. It was then that he noticed one of the laborers waving his hands for Sergio to stop. Sergio could tell by the laborer’s face that something was wrong so he quickly ran to the back of the truck. He had struck another laborer when he was backing up; he didn’t run him over but hit him enough to shake him up.

Rushing and complacency are the two biggest factors in construction-related injuries. The outcome of this story could have been a lot worse, and SafeStart training has taught Graniterock employees how to self-trigger on these dangerous states.

We’re glad no one was seriously injured and congratulate Graniterock on investing in employees’ safety skills with SafeStart training. Now when Sergio and his crews find themselves in the same situation in the future they have the skills and awareness they need to work safely and avoid incidents like this.