Two local lobbying groups, Citizens for Safe Work Zones (CSWZ) and AGC of Minnesota, have introduced bills that improve safety for Minnesota road workers. Egan Company has partnered with these groups and support their effort to make a positive impact on work zone safety at the legislative level.
Egan’s involvement has included guidance and recommendations to CSWZ and AGC of Minnesota, as well as providing testimonials before legislative committee hearings. We also have supported both of the parties’ objectives around eliminating distracted driving as a result of handheld mobile phones.
CSWZ Objectives for the 2019 legislative session:
- Increased speed enforcement activities in work zones (inclusion of automated speed enforcement in work zones with speeds 45+mph)
- Public education campaign on work zone safety
- Establish collaborative expectations with MNDOT to improve baseline work zone safety requirements to protect contractors working on the road
- Specific traffic control and worker protection requirements for all MnDOT jobs
- Appropriate and additional funding from MnDOT
- MnDOT/contractor contractual review process to ensure adequate worker protection per project
AGC of Minnesota Objectives for the 2019 legislative session:
- Proposing/supporting bill to enact state law against using hand held mobile devices in work zones
- Supporting additional bill to enact state law against using hand held mobile phones in a vehicle
While there is no definite timeline for these bills, more information will be available at the end of the 2019 legislative session. As a company, we will continue to support state and industry legislative initiatives that improve the safety of Minnesota road workers.
A: “We can help hold each other accountable by constantly looking out for each other, pointing out unsafe actions, and unsafe situations in the workplace or on jobsites. By continuing to hold each other to a high standard of safety, we can achieve our safety goals.” — Sean Moore, Control Panel Technician
A: “Achieving zero injuries allows Egan to be even more competitive in our marketplace. And, overall it would be exciting to reach such a great safety milestone.” — Jon Kroening, Electrical Field Leader
A: “Requiring and enforcing our crews to wear 100% PPE [Personal Protection Equipment] at all times is always first and foremost in maintaining safety. We also follow all OSHA standards, Egan guidelines, and make sure our crew never overextends themselves. We promote using carts, lifts, or whatever is needed to assure the job stays safe.” — Jim Drummond, Plumber Field Leader
A: “Egan’s safety practices, as well as the General Contractor’s, make it easy for us to solve most safety issues. However, if there is ever a situation where a crew member doesn’t feel comfortable, I remind them to walk away and bring it to my attention. We always stress that each person is most responsible for their own safety.” — Tim McKie, Electrical Field Leader
A: “Each morning we talk through safety challenges, and as a team we come up with the best plan to ensure we all stay safe. Egan’s Safety team has also done specific training on our jobs, and we’ve had equipment companies show us how to properly and safely operate their lift equipment. It’s clear that safety is a part of everything we do.” — Mike Kush, InterClad Field Leader
A: “Always be aware of your surroundings and anticipate possible safety challenges before they happen. Working in this industry involves risks to not only ourselves, but also to the public and others around us, so having awareness to recognize these risks is highly important.” — Todd Grandt, ATS Project Manager
A culture of safety is an intangible value of Egan Company – every project, every employee, every day. To remain safe every day takes hard work and commitment, so what is it that motivates Egan employees to work safe? Though there are A LOT of reasons, throughout the month of September employees submitted photos for our annual 
“Why We Work Safe” contest to tell us why they personally work safe.
For the tenth consecutive year, Egan was awarded multiple Governor’s Safety Awards by the Minnesota Safety Council for its commitment to workplace safety and health.
Onsite top honors! Congratulations to Plumbing Field Leader Mike Aitkin, on being recognized as this month’s Safety Champion at the Grand Casino-Hinckley and Mille Lacs expansions.
Empowering employees is the key to ensuring safety on all jobsites, and it’s something Egan Company takes to heart with its Safety Brings You Home program. The intention is to make any employee – from apprentice to field leader to project manager – feel comfortable speaking up when they see something risky or unsafe onsite or even in the office.
Highlights of these efforts include: 