Mortenson Construction further exemplifies “world class” safety with Zero OSHA Recordable Incidents

Denver, CO – Mortenson Construction today announced that its Denver operating group has achieved one full year of work (546,732 hours) with zero OSHA Recordable Incidents.  This is a significant safety milestone within the construction industry, representing a “world class” safety record. 

Achieving “Zero OSHA Recordable Incidents” (which include cuts, lacerations, punctures, abrasions, fractures, strains, sprains, dislocations, burns, bruises and contusions) is a much higher standard than 1 million hours with no lost time accidents, as it exemplifies an ultimately safe work environment.  Mortenson credits this achievement to its Zero Injury safety program efforts designed to eliminate worker injury across all its project sites and locations. In total, more than 350 Mortenson team members working on 18 projects across Colorado have been injury-free. 

“We’re very proud of our safety record and this significant accomplishment,” said Bob Hansen, vice president and general manager of Mortenson Construction in Denver.  “It is our obligation and responsibility to ensure that all of our workers return home in the same conditions they arrived.”  As a sign of gratitude to the team members, the company hosted a celebratory luncheon for over 350 team members at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 29th.

According the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 – the last full year reported – there were approximately 288,000 non-fatal construction-related injuries in the U.S. or 4.3 recordable incidents per 100 full-time workers. A recordable incident is a work-related illness and any injury which results in loss of consciousness, restriction of work or motion, transfer to another job, or requires medical treatment beyond first aid.

Mortenson began its Zero Injury safety program in 1995 and was one of the first construction companies in the U.S. to implement such efforts. The company educates its workforce on the nine principles of its Zero Injury program. These principles are pre-task planning; orientation and training; substance testing; incident investigation; reward and recognition; management commitment; staffing for safety; subcontractor management; and worker involvement. As a result, Mortenson’s recordable incident rate continues to decline and is among the lowest in the construction industry.