At Great States Construction, safety isn’t a line item we simply check off on our plans. It’s the standard we hold ourselves to every day. As we wrap up Construction Safety Week 2026, it’s important to reflect on the things each person does to keep themselves and their fellow team members safe, especially give this year’s theme.
Construction Safety Week’s theme this year is “All In Together,” which centers on three simple but critical actions: recognize risks, respond the right way, and respect the work and the people around you.
Training
Recently, our team came together for annual safety training, with an in-person session in Fargo and virtual participation from Minneapolis, Billings, and beyond. Our long-time partner US Compliance (formerly OECS) led the training. The session covered everything from ladder safety to recognizing hidden dangers to chemical labeling and handling, as well as keeping everyone safe no matter the location.
Safety is more than showing up to training once a year. Our team requires personal protective equipment (PPE) for all workers and visitors on a job site. That includes PPE like hard hats, high visibility vests, and safety glasses. We also maintain a strict drug-free workplace policy that applies to both our employees and trade partner subcontractors.
Our commitment to safety is reflected in the way we run every project, regardless of size.
Each project includes a safety plan, routine safety meetings with all partners, ongoing training, and regular inspections. Every person on every jobsite has both the authority and the responsibility to stop work if something feels unsafe.
“Our team is continually undergoing training on best practices to keep our jobsites as safe as possible,” noted Kevin Hochman, Director of Operations.
Safety From the Start
Maintaining jobsite safety has been a top priority since our first day more than a decade ago.
In 2024, Great States Construction was recognized with the OECS Safety Spotlight Award, selected from more than 500 companies. It’s something we’re proud of, but more importantly, it reflects the way our team works every day.
Our track record of safety is further demonstrated through our Experience Modification Factor (EMF), a score given by North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance. Great States boasts an EMF of just 0.736 compared to an industry average of 1.00. Lower scores indicate fewer safety-related incidents.
“Safety is the most important thing that we do,” said Michael Casper, President of Great States. “Doing a good job, doing it safely, and making sure everyone gets home every night is always the most important thing.”