Featured Department: Safety

At Brubacher, safety is a core value—a guiding principle that’s foundational to every decision, every jobsite, and every team member’s approach to their work. In an industry where serious risks are ever-present, from operating heavy equipment to working in unpredictable conditions, we believe that safety is more than just aspects of compliance, like following OSHA regulations or checking boxes on internal reports. It must go beyond to genuinely shape the way people work together and look out for one another. That’s why we have dedicated ourselves to creating a safety culture in construction that is lived out daily, ensuring that every team member goes home safely at the end of each day.

A strong safety culture ensures that team members are equipped with the knowledge and training to protect themselves while also fostering the confidence to speak up and look out for others. At Brubacher, we believe that life and health are gifts from God, and we take seriously our shared responsibility to safeguard not only our team but also the partners, clients, and communities we serve—so that every person has the opportunity to fulfill the purpose for which they were created.

Leading this mission is Brubacher’s Safety Department, a team dedicated to safety leadership, training, and continuous improvement. Under the direction of Safety Director Andy G., the department is shifting the way jobsite safety is approached—moving away from the outdated “safety police” mentality and toward fostering a proactive, trust-based approach that empowers team members and strengthens teamwork. Working alongside Andy are Field Safety Representative Mike D. and Safety Coordinator Melissa H., who bring years of experience and a passion for mentoring others. Together, they reinforce safety as an ongoing conversation where learning and collaboration are central.

“Our goal is to be a resource for the entire Brubacher team. We’re here to support, to coach, and to help ensure that every decision on-site is made with safety in mind,” Andy recently shared.

A Hands-On Approach to Safety Leadership: Get to Know Brubacher’s Safety Director

Andy stepped into his role as Safety Director in December 2024, bringing a strong background in workplace safety programs. While his experience in general industry safety provided a solid foundation, transitioning to safety management in construction has required building a deep understanding of the specific challenges of excavation and sitework projects.

From the start, Andy recognized the importance of experiencing Brubacher’s work firsthand. He has been spending one to two full days per week on active jobsites, not just observing but actively engaging with crews. This time in the field allows him to listen, learn, and help strengthen safety practices in ways that are both practical and effective.

“You can’t fully understand the challenges of a site by reading a policy manual,” Andy noted. “By working alongside our teams, I see what they see, experience the risks they face, and gain the insight needed to develop solutions that actually work for them.”

Alongside his fieldwork experiences, Andy has so far been working to lead an in-depth safety analysis, collaborating with team members across the company to assess strengths and identify areas for improvement. These conversations, paired with direct experience on the ground, shape the next steps for Brubacher’s long-term safety strategy.

Building a Safety Culture Grounded in Trust and Support

Safety is a team effort, and Brubacher’s approach emphasizes mentorship and accountability at every level. For Mike D. and Melissa H., that means ensuring teams have the knowledge, tools, and support they need to make safe choices every day.

Mike, who spends the majority of his time out in the field on jobsites, serves as a direct resource for crews, helping them identify risks and reinforcing safe work habits. His role isn’t about checking boxes and looking over others’ shoulders. It’s about building relationships so his fellow team members feel comfortable asking questions and sharing concerns.

He asserted, “We’re not here to catch people doing something wrong. We’re here to teach, to mentor, and to help them understand why safety matters—not just for the company, but for them personally.”

Melissa, who has been with Brubacher for nearly 18 years, plays a key role in communication and coordination, making sure the team has access to the right equipment, training, and support. Over the years, she and Mike have both seen a meaningful shift in how safety is perceived. Team members who once hesitated to engage with the Safety Department now actively seek out guidance, report concerns, and take ownership of safety on their jobsites.

“The biggest change we’ve seen is that people now come to us,” Melissa says. “They ask questions, they share concerns, and they know we’re here to help. That’s a big deal, and we know that they trust our genuine care for keeping them safe.”

Many excavating and sitework contractors focus on safety, but at Brubacher, it’s more than a requirement—it’s a shared commitment. Team members recognize that safety leadership starts at the top, with President Keith Brubacher and company leadership actively reinforcing its importance in daily operations. Rather than approaching safety as a set of rules to enforce, the safety team fosters an environment where team members feel empowered to contribute to a safer workplace. Keeping communication open and focusing on education rather than enforcement has helped shift the perception of safety from an obligation to a responsibility that belongs to everyone.

“It only takes one second for something bad to happen, but it also only takes one second to stop, think, and make a better choice,” Melissa noted.

What’s Next for Safety at Brubacher?

The work of strengthening safety never stops. Andy’s safety analysis and fieldwork will drive ongoing improvements, ensuring that Brubacher continues to lead in construction safety best practices. Some updates will be small but impactful, such as refining safety protocols or making adjustments to equipment procedures. Others will be part of a long-term strategy to enhance training programs, refine site-specific safety measures, and build on the strong foundation that already exists. By continuing to engage with teams, provide meaningful training, and develop proactive safety measures, Brubacher’s safety culture will only grow stronger in the years ahead.

“Every decision we make has consequences,” Andy says. “If we remain humble, open to feedback, and committed to looking out for one another, we can continue to raise the bar for safety—for Brubacher and for the entire industry.”

As Andy, Mike, Melissa, and the entire Safety Department work tirelessly to support field teams, foster trust, and ensure that every team member has what they need to work with confidence, they reinforce Brubacher’s commitment to the well-being of every individual. Their dedication to construction safety, jobsite safety, and safety in heavy equipment operations remains unwavering. Safety always comes first for every project, every shift, and every person. Because, in the end, nothing is more important than going home safely.

Mike summed it up perfectly: “Safety isn’t about rules—it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that at the end of the day, we all go home the same way we came in—safe, healthy, and ready for tomorrow.”