Construction Company Makes Weather Safety a Priority

Headquartered in Birmingham, AL, Brasfield & Gorrie LLC is one of the largest privately held construction firms in the country.

The company recently observed Construction Safety Week and worked to educate employees about safety risks. Safety is the company's top value.

WEATHER SAFETY

On one project, the company handed out about 60 Midland WR120s, otherwise known as desktop NOAA Weather Radios.

“We work outside so we’re affected by the weather directly,” Senior Safety Manager Jason Fritz said.

Severe weather is person to Fritz. He grew up in Van Wert, Ohio. The town was struck by an F4 tornado in 2002.

“When people get hurt or die in tornado events, it’s because they didn’t get proper notification. They thought their phone was going to go off or they would hear the sirens, but you might not.”

SEVERE WEATHER SEASON

While the company has locations and projects all over the nation, most of its job sites are in the southeast, where tornadoes and hurricanes are common risks. Fritz said now is the time to make sure everyone is prepared for severe weather.

“We’re hitting in the middle of springtime with much more active weather with tornadoes and hurricanes. Being in the south, we get hurricanes, and experts are predicting it will be an active season. Hurricanes bring tornadoes.”

And while Fritz is constantly watching the weather to protect his workers, he wants to make sure employees are aware of the steps they can take to stay safe when they are off the job.

Everyone that attended a recent event with a local meteorologist, James Spann, walked away with a NOAA Weather Radio. The team members included laborers, carpenters, foremen, the office team, and management.

“Having weather radios in the homes protects our workers. We can work to take steps to protect them at work, but it’s also important to us to protect them and theirs at home,” Fritz said.

He hopes to provide everyone in the company with a weather radio, but his dream is for every family in America to have one in their home.

“If one day a $30 radio saves a life, then it was worth it."

STAYING IN THE KNOW

Midland Radio's Meteorologist, Bruce Jones joins James Spann for everyone of his podcast episodes. WeatherBrains is live on its website at 8 p.m. CT where they discuss the importance of staying weather ready. Jones encourages all listeners to make sure their friends and family have NOAA Weather Radios in preparation of severe weather.