One of the most critical aspects of a robust safety program is providing workers with an easy way to communicate good catches and near-misses in the field, and technology can help with that, according to Kedric Bartsch, senior director of environment, health and safety at Riggs Distler & Co. Inc., Cherry Hill, N.J. Bartsch shares how his organization has been successful in its safety program and best practices on how to improve it.

What sparked your interest in getting into the safety profession?

While working in the fire safety field during my college years, I took courses in workers’ compensation, occupational health and safety, and fire and safety engineering technology. The safety professional at my workplace allowed me to assist with inspections, program updates and incident investigations. Although I hadn’t planned on becoming a safety professional, this experience sparked my interest and provided valuable real-world exposure.

A few years later, as a project manager for a fire protection contractor, I began contributing to the safety aspects of our projects. Witnessing the practical application of my academic knowledge and its positive impact inspired me to pursue an entry-level position in health and safety. Throughout my journey, I’ve worked with many outstanding safety professionals who generously shared their expertise, significantly aiding my growth in this field.

What safety practices have been particularly effective?

Over the past 10 years, Riggs Distler has established a comprehensive good catch and near-miss program. This initiative has progressed from using paper forms to implementing QR codes that link to electronic forms, enabling employees to submit reports and attach photos.

Each year, we receive approximately 2,000 submissions from employees at all levels. These reports cover a range of issues, from minor ones like an extension cord in a walkway to major concerns such as worn-out rigging or a partially burned conductor that could fall if moved. We share this information with all employees to promote learning from each other’s observations.

We have observed a trend where an increase in good catch and near-miss reports correlates with a decrease in incidents. We encourage all employees to report good catches and near misses, assuring them that there are no negative repercussions for doing so.

Is there a specific injury or almost-injury that changed how you thought about safety on the job?

An employee fell while climbing a pole, sustaining severe injuries, but eventually recovered. I was responsible for picking up the employee’s family members and bringing them to the hospital. This was my first experience dealing with a serious injury and witnessing its impact on the family firsthand.

That experience still resonates with me. It constantly reminds me of the importance of ensuring our employees return home in the same condition they arrived at work. This is the goal we must strive for every day.

What challenges do you face in managing safety responsibilities?

One challenge is keeping safety initiatives fresh and not resting on past successes. We must continually think about how to improve our messaging, enhance our programs, and leverage new technologies to help our employees stay safe.

The utility safety field is unique because we all aim for similar goals. I frequently reach out to industry peers to gain new perspectives and explore different solutions. Ultimately, if an idea from someone else can prevent an injury in our organization, and we can share an idea that prevents an injury elsewhere, we are doing the right thing.

How do you encourage crews to take safety seriously on the job?

We encourage our employees not to assume that everything will go perfectly. At some point, things might not go as planned. By thoroughly planning tasks, identifying hazards and implementing effective controls, we can ensure that when things do go wrong, there are defenses in place to prevent serious injuries, allowing us to fail safely. Believing that everything will always go as planned sets us up for failure.

Do you have any other advice for safety professionals?

It can be frustrating to think you are not making progress, but if you can move the needle a bit each day, you will eventually reach the goal.