During the month of June, Midland, and all of Colas, celebrated the 12th annual Safety Week at Colas. This year’s theme was shared vigilance. Shared vigilance is the practice of looking out for each other and oneself. Its foundation is built upon trust and team spirit, highlighting the importance of keeping an eye out for everyone.
At Midland, throughout safety week, we focused on vigilance, mental health, and STCKY (Stuff That Can Kill You). It’s important to listen to warnings from colleagues to ensure safety, and also feel comfortable to speak up yourself. Of course, shared vigilance is something we practice all year long, not just during Safety Week.
It’s imperative that we focus on mental health, as the construction industry continues to have high rates of mental health struggles. We focused on symptoms of suicide to be aware of and reviewed the L.E.A.R.N. method:
Look for signs of negative thoughts/behaviors
Empathize and listen to those that struggle
Ask about suicide to show that you care about them
Reduce the danger by removing firearms or medications
and in the Next steps stay with the person and call National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline together
We also emphasized remaining alert to STCKY, Stuff That Can Kill You. From identifying red zones and blind spots to inspecting fall protection and staying clear of energy sources, we revisited key safety protocols. The biggest takeaway is to never assume others see what you see, and that communication saves lives.
Safety Week is a powerful reminder that safety is a culture. Whether it’s mental health, physical hazards, or daily check-ins, shared vigilance means we show up for each other. At Midland, safety is a shared responsibility we carry with pride! Together, we can achieve Goal Zero.
