At Kovach Enclosure Systems, the work of designing, engineering, and installing complex building enclosure systems inherently involves high-risk activities. From working on the edges of buildings using elevated lifts and performing specialized tasks like repelling off of cranes, the safety of our team is not just a priority – it’s the foundation upon which our excellence is built. This unwavering dedication to safety is reflected in numerous ways, including our pursuit of and recognition through prestigious awards like the Excellence in Safety Award.
The Excellence in Safety Award is a recognition program that our insurance provider, Marsh McLennon, uses to honor clients with exemplary safety records. This isn’t an award we actively apply for; rather, it’s an internal recognition from our insurer based on our safety performance. The primary criteria for this award are centered on the number of recordable injuries on our job sites. A recordable injury, as defined by OSHA, includes incidents involving broken bones, lacerations requiring stitches, any injury leading to missed work, or on-off restrictive duty mandated by a doctor. Our goal, of course, is always that magic number: 0 recordable injuries.
Receiving the Excellence in Safety Award is significant for Kovach for several reasons. First, it validates our ongoing efforts and investments in creating a safe working environment. The last time Kovach received this award was in 2022, highlighting a consistent track record of prioritizing the well-being of our employees. Considering the high-risk nature of our work and the sheer volume of work undertaken – for instance, in 2022, with an average of 213 employees, we logged 454,778 hours and had only one recordable injury. Even with three recordable injuries in the following year while working over 600,000 hours with an average of 314 employees, our incident rate remains considerably lower than the national average. This award, therefore, serves as a tangible acknowledgment of our commitment to maintaining a safe workplace despite the inherent challenges of our industry.
Our dedication to safety extends far beyond aiming for award recognition. It is deeply embedded in our daily operations through comprehensive safety processes and training. For every new hire, their journey at Kovach begins with a full-day orientation focused on safety. This includes detailed instruction on the proper use, maintenance, and replacement of personal protective equipment. Given that a significant portion of our work requires it, extensive training is provided on fall protection, alongside training on scaffolding, ladder safety, electrical safety, and material handling. To ensure knowledge retention, employees undergo quizzes after each training section.
Beyond the initial orientation, our team members receive specialized training tailored to the equipment they use, including forklifts, scissor lifts, and boom lifts, encompassing both classroom instruction and hands-on field training. We also prioritize OSHA 10 and OSHA 30-hour certifications, often driven by the requirements of specific projects. For specialized high-risk tasks, we provide specific training such as suspended scaffold training, swing stage work training, and rigging training for those involved in crane operations. Additionally, signal person training ensures clear communication with crane and forklift operators. Recognizing the importance of immediate response, all Kovach supervisors are required to be CPR certified and hold OSHA 30 training.
The training for our team members who perform repelling, a highly specialized and inherently dangerous task, is particularly rigorous. This falls under SPRAT (Suspended Personnel Rope Access Technique) training, which involves a tiered system. Level 1 technicians undergo a full week of initial training, while progression to Level 2 requires six months of continuous rope access work, and Level 3 necessitates five years of continuous experience. Notably, Level 3 SPRAT technicians serve as on-site safety managers for repelling crews, responsible for overseeing safety protocols and equipment. For every ten Level 1 and 2 technicians, there must be one Level 3 technician, ensuring a strong safety oversight presence.
In addition to formal training, Kovach emphasizes proactive risk management through daily pre-task plans. These plans require teams to detail the day’s work, identify potential hazards, and outline corrective actions to mitigate those risks. Furthermore, we are continually developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for various tasks. These SOPs provide a structured, step-by-step guide for performing tasks safely and with quality, ensuring consistency across different teams and providing a valuable resource for both experienced and newer employees.
While the Excellence in Safety Award from our insurer is a significant recognition, Kovach’s commitment to safety is also acknowledged through other avenues, such as the Safety Subcontractor of the Month award received at the Line Data Center project. Individual employees have also been recognized as the safety employee of the month on various projects, highlighting the personal dedication to safety within our teams.
At Kovach, we understand that our most valuable asset is our people. By prioritizing safety through comprehensive training, rigorous processes, and a proactive approach to hazard identification and mitigation, we strive to ensure that every member of our team returns home safely each day. Our pursuit of excellence in building enclosures is inextricably linked to our unwavering commitment to safety – it’s not just what we do; it’s how we do it.
Safety First: Protecting What Matters Most – Our Team
At Kovach Enclosure Systems, the work of designing, engineering, and installing complex building enclosure systems inherently involves high-risk activities. From working on the edges of buildings using elevated lifts and performing specialized tasks like repelling off cranes, the safety of our team is not just a priority – it’s the foundation upon which our excellence is built. This unwavering dedication to safety is reflected in numerous ways, including our pursuit of and recognition through prestigious awards like the Excellence in Safety Award.
The Excellence in Safety Award is a recognition program that our insurance provider, Marsh McLennon, uses to honor clients with exemplary safety records. This isn’t an award we actively apply for; rather, it’s an internal recognition from our insurer based on our safety performance.
Our Safety Success Story
Let’s talk numbers that matter. In 2022, we had 213 employees and logged 454,778 working hours with just one recordable injury. The next year, even as we grew to 314 employees and worked over 600,000 hours, we kept our safety record steady. This isn’t just luck – it’s hard work and commitment.
What Makes a Recordable Injury?
OSHA defines a recordable injury as:
- Broken bones
- Cuts needing stitches
- Any injury causing missed work
- Work restrictions from a doctor
Our goal? Zero recordable injuries. Period.
Safety Starts Day One
Every new Kovach team member begins with a full-day safety orientation. This isn’t just a boring meeting – it’s a roadmap to staying safe on the job. We cover:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Fall protection
- Scaffolding and ladder safety
- Electrical safety
- Material handling
And we don’t just talk – we quiz our team to make sure the information sticks.
Specialized Training for Specialized Work
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all training. Depending on the role, our employees get specific instruction on:
- Forklifts
- Scissor lifts
- Boom lifts
- OSHA 10 and 30-hour certifications
- Suspended scaffold work
- Crane operations
- Signal person communication
The Repelling Team: Safety at New Heights
Our repelling technicians go through the most rigorous training possible. SPRAT (Suspended Personnel Rope Access Technique) training is a three-level system:
- Level 1: Full week of initial training
- Level 2: Requires six months of continuous rope access work
- Level 3: Requires five years of continuous experience
For every 10 Level 1 and 2 technicians, we have one Level 3 technician who serves as an on-site safety manager. Safety is always watching.
Beyond Training: Daily Safety in Action
Every day starts with a pre-task plan. We:
- Detail the day’s work
- Identify potential hazards
- Outline how to prevent those risks
We’re constantly developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure everyone knows exactly how to do their job safely and consistently.
Recognition Matters
We celebrate safety! From the Excellence in Safety Award from our insurance provider to project-specific awards like Safety Subcontractor of the Month, we recognize those who go above and beyond to protect themselves and their teammates.
Our Promise to You
At Kovach, our employees are our most important asset. Our commitment to safety isn’t about avoiding paperwork or winning awards. It’s about making sure each team member returns home to their family, healthy and whole, every single day.
Safety isn’t just a priority. It’s our way of life.
