For more than 20 years, both have made it their mission to foster a culture where safety and risk management are rooted in their teams’ daily routines. To them, the soundscape of a construction site is unmistakable, almost bringing them comfort — the hum of heavy machinery, the rustle of safety gloves and the clank of tools at work. Yet beneath the surface noise is something more meaningful: an ongoing dialogue driven by dedication, vigilance and mutual care.

Working together at Burns & McDonnell, Jimmy Davis and Ed Cruz share a clear vision: When it comes to safety, being proactive rather than reactive is essential on-site.

Like many in the safety business, Cruz and Davis started their careers not for the policies but for the people. For Cruz, it was about applying military discipline with his light-hearted character to care for teams. For Davis, witnessing a fatality in an offshore job he had taken earlier in his career demonstrated that safety is not optional — it's personal. Their stories are reminders that safety is about protecting lives, not just ticking boxes.

Safety is cultivated through trust, sustained by communication and supported by individuals who recognize that the people in the field are the foundation of every project.

For high-paced environments that require more than procedural adherence, it’s about more than repeating talking points or working off a checklist. It’s about showing up, staying alert and raising morale during tough times. Managing and identifying risks also becomes a top priority. Coaching site personnel on risk management and making decisions based on a risk analysis becomes crucial.

“My principal role is to promote a safe worksite,” says Davis, site safety and health manager. “Compliance and paperwork follow.”

Though many things may challenge the status quo of safety, tight schedules with long hours shouldn’t compromise it.

Davis recalls a project where detailed risk assessments were introduced for even the most routine tasks. That strategy resulted in 18 consecutive months without a single incident.

“The project even stayed ahead of schedule,” he says. “What made the difference was leadership engagement and workforce morale. You need that strong commitment at every level.”

When leadership prioritizes risk assessments for every task — no matter how routine — it sets a precedent for thoroughness and care. Daily pre-task briefings became more than operational tasks helping teams align on daily goals and potential risks. They establish collective understanding and emphasize expectations across crews and disciplines.

Safety is built moment by moment. Pausing to inspect a harness clip. Flagging an uneven surface before others pass through it. Making the call to delay a lift by a minute to do it right. It’s rooted in reminding a teammate about using safety gloves. These small but intentional acts are the core of a true safe culture.

There’s a common stigma around reporting incidents. When workers hesitate to speak up for fear of affecting metrics or recognition, it signals a gap in the culture. Creating space for honest conversations about processes, challenges and conditions strengthens trust and reinforces emotional safety.

Unchecked concerns don’t disappear — they linger. Emotional strain, when ignored, can quietly distract someone in the field, any given day.

“Everything can change in one short moment,” says Cruz, senior site safety and health specialist. “When you walk into the field, I need you to be completely present because I want you to leave the same way you walked in — safe.”

Routine checkups and informal interactions reinforce psychological safety, allowing team members to voice concerns early and confidently while reinforcing preventive and responsive care.

Additionally, monitoring workload and schedules plays a critical role in sustaining focus on the jobsite. With workers on-site for long hours, fatigue can quietly introduce risks that compromise both individual safety and project performance.

No grand gestures are required. A simple nod or thumbs up to check in, a casual question during break, or giving someone space to speak after a hard week makes a world of difference. These human touches differentiate policy and practice. They show thoughtfulness and care beyond the craft.

“Being in this line of work means vouching for your team even when they are too worried to come forward,” Cruz says. “If there’s a risk in sight, whether that’s physical or emotional, say something — and that goes for everyone on-site.”

Cruz recalls standing up for his team’s well-being during one of his first projects. He was not afraid to shut down operations for a day while the site became a safe space for his team again. Though nervous at first, Cruz knew he was doing the right thing and was later commended for it. With that, he built trust among his team and managers, creating a much better workspace for months to come.

When everyone on-site is informed, involved and supported, safety outcomes improve and progress becomes more sustainable. That’s why a safe and successful project hinges on active listening and collaboration. Site safety and health specialists are not all-knowing; site members, superintendents and safety specialists can all learn from each other.

“I routinely ask superintendents and site managers for feedback on potential hazards,” Cruz says. “Their experience sharpens my awareness and improves our approach, especially when they’ve had specific experience in the site type.”

Davis adds, “Understanding workflows and equipment operation from those who use them helps me identify risks more accurately and suggest better mitigation plans. It also builds a trustful relationship between myself and those with an interest in keeping others safe, which is essential for effective mitigation planning.”

Safety must be a collective commitment where everyone has a role to play. The idea that safety belongs to one person or department doesn’t work. Real on-site progress happens when people know their well-being comes first — because without the people, there is no project.