HOUSTON, TX — September 27, 2024 — Griesenbeck Architectural Products, Inc. (“Griesenbeck”) is thrilled to announce its recognition as a Gold Member in the American Subcontractors Association (“ASA”) Houston Chapter’s Commitment to Safety (“CTS”) Program. This marks a significant achievement and highlights our dedication to fostering a safe and healthy work environment. Gold Member status represents a step up from our previous award level, showcasing our commitment to continuous improvement in safety standards and practices.
The ASA CTS Program honors contractors who implement comprehensive safety programs and provide essential safety training for management, supervisors, and employees. As a Gold Member, Griesenbeck met a series of stringent requirements that demonstrate our deep commitment to safety on every project.
What It Takes to Achieve Gold Status:
To be recognized as a Gold Member, Griesenbeck met or exceeded several standards, including:
- Employee Safety Training: We ensure consistent field employee participation in weekly safety training meetings, fostering a culture of ongoing safety awareness and compliance.
- Routine Self-Inspections: Our team conducts and documents thorough self-inspections at least once a month for projects lasting longer than 30 days. For shorter projects, tailored inspection methods are applied to ensure comprehensive safety oversight.
- Comprehensive Safety Program: Griesenbeck has implemented a robust written safety and health program based on OSHA’s 1989 Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines, ensuring compliance with industry best practices.
- Qualified Safety Leadership: We assign a qualified employee (trained at the OSHA 30-Hour level or higher) the responsibility for the company's entire safety and health program and have them report directly to top management.
- New Employee Orientation: All new employees receive a thorough orientation to the company’s safety and health programs, including hazard avoidance specific to our work sites.
- Active Employee Involvement: Beyond regular safety meetings, self-inspections, and orientations, we actively engage our employees in safety initiatives, ensuring their involvement in the continued development and maintenance of our safety and health program.
- Substance Abuse Program: Griesenbeck maintains a comprehensive substance abuse policy to promote a safe and healthy working environment. We have also been a signatory to the Construction Coalition for a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace pledge for many years.
- 6-Foot Fall Protection Policy: We enforce a strict 6-foot Fall Protection Policy to safeguard our workers from height-related hazards.
- Supervisory Training: All field supervisory personnel have completed the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach course, ensuring they are equipped to oversee safety on-site.
- Active Safety Committee Participation: We have at least one representative actively engaged on of the ASA-HC Safety Committee as part of our commitment to leading safety efforts across the industry.
- Site-Specific Safety Plans: We ensure that all job sites follow written, site-specific safety and health plans, in addition to our company’s comprehensive safety program.
- Mentorship for Subcontractors: As a Gold Member, Griesenbeck mentors other subcontractors who are working towards attaining similar safety recognition, sharing resources and best practices.
- Documented Safety Inspections: Designated safety personnel conduct regular documented safety inspections of all active worksites. These personnel are authorized to take immediate corrective actions to mitigate hazards.
- Advanced Training for Supervisors: Senior supervisory personnel receive additional training in areas such as scaffolding, excavation, and fall protection, according to the type of work we routinely do.
- Jobsite Safety Inspections: Our company undergoes qualifying safety inspections conducted by ASA-HC Safety Committee representatives to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Strong Safety Record: In the 36 months prior to award, we maintained an exemplary safety record, with:
- No OSHA “willful” violations.
- No more than three “serious” violations in total, and no more than one “serious” violation within any 12-month period.
- No fatalities or catastrophes that resulted in serious OSHA citations.
“Our team is and should be incredibly proud of this achievement,” said Melinda Harvey, Assistant Safety Manager for Griesenbeck. “Safety is at the core of everything we do, and reaching the Gold level in the ASA CTS Program is proof of our commitment to making our work environment and job sites as safe as possible – both for our employees and partners. This recognition motivates us to continue setting higher standards and advancing our safety initiatives.”
Benefits of Gold Member Status
As a Gold Member of the ASA CTS Program, Griesenbeck gains exclusive access to a wealth of safety resources, including:
- Complimentary jobsite consultations from the ASA-HC safety committee
- Discounted services from ASA-HC safety consulting firms
- Free and low-cost safety training for our workforce
- Continuous support for improving and enhancing our safety program
This recognition not only sets Griesenbeck apart in the industry but also underscores our dedication to the well-being of our team and the clients we serve.
For more information about Griesenbeck’s safety programs and initiatives, please contact Melinda Harvey, Assistant Safety Manager, at 713-781-3287.
About ASA-Houston Chapter’s Commitment to Safety Program
The ASA-Houston Chapter's Commitment to Safety (CTS) Program was developed to recognize contractors who implement effective safety and health programs and provide comprehensive safety training for management, supervisors, and employees. The program offers three levels of recognition — Silver, Gold, and Platinum — based on each contractor’s dedication to continuous safety improvements. The ASA-HC also provides member firms with resources, training, and consultation to help them develop best-in-class safety practices.
