Safety is an integral part of Bancroft Construction's entire building process, notes brand manager Laura McLaine, beginning with the pre-project planning phase and continuing through the preconstruction, construction and post-construction phases. "We build safety into our projects from the very beginning so that the well-being of workers, facility users, adjacent property owners and the general public is identified as a priority." The company's goal, she explains, is for every one of those people to go home to their families every night unharmed.
As McLaine explains, during the pre-project planning phase, Bancroft participates in design reviews to account for safety considerations. "Contract documents are revised, if necessary, to be consistent with Bancroft's and the client's safety policies and practices. A Project Execution Plan (PEP) is developed in cooperation with the project team and contains comprehensive safety criteria pertinent to that particular site and project." Subcontractors are required to be pre-qualified, and must meet specific training and substance abuse requirements.
During the construction phase, Bancroft conducts regular site safety meetings. Also, throughout the project lifecycle, "safety audits are performed by our Safety Management Team on a random and weekly scheduled basis," McLaine says. "The scheduled audits are designed to educate clients and subcontractors with respect to Bancroft's safety requirements, and to raise their awareness to the significant role each plays in promoting a safe work site."
Bancroft's senior management is committed to the why behind its safety culture, McLaine emphasizes. "Running safe jobsites and maintaining a safe workplace is the right thing to do, but it is also one of the major values on which our company is built."
In addition to safety on the job, Bancroft also encourages and rewards employees to exercise more, quit smoking, monitor their biometric screening, eat healthier and attend financial wellness workshops. "From the CEO to each of our co-ops, Bancroft carries the safety flag," she says.
