Shoun-Allen Masonry, Inc.  maintains that safety is the concern of all our personnel.  Our Safety Program begins with management.  Our managers must emphasize the concern for our employees and support for our Safety Program. They must assure that all directives, policies, and procedures are issued and followed as defined.  Their attitude and enthusiasm is reflected in the attitude of our employees.  Management commitment is observed at every level.  This commitment is critical to safety’s success.

The Personnel/Safety Department is instrumental in minimizing the prospect of unsafe acts.  This is accomplished through careful employee selection, placement, and counseling.  They assume responsibility for implementing the safety related activities and must serve in the roll of organizer, stimulator and guide for the program.  Familiarity with Federal, State and local government regulations, laws, and ordinances must be maintained.  Shoun-Allen Masonry, Inc.  is a member of the Tennessee Drug-free Workplace program and maintains memberships in state and local safety organizations.     

The Job Foreman is the key person in maintaining day-to-day safety requirements, particularly with regard to eliminating unsafe acts.  The foreman must accept responsibility for their crew.  They are held responsible if work is performed using unsafe equipment or unsafe conduct on their job site.  They assure that all crew members are properly trained.

This includes new hires, permanent transfers, and fill-ins.

A safety handbook is provided that pertains to safe equipment operation, proper procedures to perform certain tasks or jobs, special hazards unique to the job site, accident reporting procedures, and company medical/first aid programs.

Weekly “tool box” meetings are held by the Job Foreman.  These meetings are used to inform employees of matters relating to accident prevention.  Discussions are held covering any unsafe practices, unsafe conditions, housekeeping, etc.  The job crew takes an active part in identifying and offering corrective action for any unsafe site activities or equipment.   The employees themselves can provide valuable information on the training they need.  Safety and health hazards can be identified by their responses and questions.  This time is used to give safety talks or training as necessary.  

While working on an industrial job consisting of freestanding office and restrooms we had a contractor that came in with two cranes to erect steel around and above our employees.  We were unable to allow our workers to work under these conditions and clear safety hazards.  In 48 hours we were notified that we would lose our contract but we had to put the safety of our employees first.

Our monthly news letter contains a section on safety.  These articles are used to reinforce job site safety and often have photos of our employees using safety guidelines in their day-to-day work.  Each month we have a drawing and give 3 awards to our employees.  In order for the employee to have their name in the drawing they must follow and maintain safe working habits. 

While working on a job our employees were required to work on scaffolding 80’ in the air with daily traffic having to drive around our scaffolding endangering our employees and the public.  After communication with our general contractor we came to the conclusion that we would need to make room in our budget for a full-time flagman to better ensure the safety of our employees and the public moving in and out of the area. Our Job Foremen continually emphasize and invest time in training resulting in safe work procedures and practices.  On the job site they are also in communication with our clients keeping in mind that these procedures and practices must be considered when developing realistic schedules.  They must coordinate not only with our employees and clients but often other contractors as well.  Total Quality Commitment is now applied to our Safety Program.

The customer needs and goals requires the active commitment of all employees.  Recognition of safety as a key in improving morale and productivity and reducing costs is constantly promoted.  Working on major projects with multiple contractors and maintaining safety standards successfully is rewarding.  Shoun-Allen Masonry, Inc. was recently honored by Knoxville, Tennessee Mayor Victor Ashe with a Certificate of Appreciation for Support in Achieving One Million Man  Hours without a Lost-Time Accident in the construction of the Knoxville Convention Center.

Shoun-Allen Masonry, Inc.  is a well known name in masonry.  At Colortech in Morristown we had a $125,000.00 contract on the office and warehouse additions.  Our work at Colortech consisted of extensive block work from your basic block to split-face and decorative block.  UT Medical Building “D”, a $700,000.00 contract, has consisted of 250,000 brick along with brick veneer and an overall height of 8 floors.  Greeneville High School, a $1,500,000.00 contract, has consisted of brick work, block work and extensive Indiana Limestone installation.  Limestone panels have been installed on the walls, the steps and the copings of this large school additions and renovations project.  Our work ranges from small industrial jobs and churches to large school and government projects.  Safety comes first on all of our jobs big or small.  We feel that attention to safety will improve our overall performance and quality of our work.