Safety is a core value and the foundation of every MWH project. Our commitment to protecting everyone on the job site drives a culture that goes beyond checklists and procedures. We maintain a year-round focus on awareness, accountability, and care for one another, empowering every team member to uphold this value in everything they do.
Safety Week 2026 began with a clear message: All In Together. The theme reflected how we operate every day — united in our purpose, accountable for our actions, and committed to protecting one another. It underscored that safety is not just a priority but a shared responsibility, strengthened by teamwork, communication, and a collective commitment to sending everyone home safe. Read along to learn more about how our team members observed and celebrated Safety Week 2026 daily!
"At MWH, we are all responsible for safety, not just for ourselves, but for everyone we work alongside. Our programs are built on the expectation that hazards are identified early, communicated clearly, and controlled effectively at all levels. Speaking up and taking action when something is not right is what prevents incidents and strengthens our safety culture every day.” JOE BARRY MWH NATIONAL SAFETY DIRECTOR
The first day of Safety Week began with a focus on Recognition. Our industry had still saw 1,075 preventable fatalities in 2023, with falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between hazards remaining the leading causes. Recognizing these hazards start with early identification through multiple proactive strategies, including: the Energy Wheel; Stuff That Can Kill You (STCKY); and the Fatal/Focus Four.
Day 2 focused on Respond — taking action the moment a hazard is recognized, because early, intentional steps prevent harm. Knowing where risks exist — heights, equipment, energy sources, weather, and shifting site conditions — and using strong preplanning, daily reviews, and clear communication helps turn those hazards into controlled risks. A plan only works when everyone understands it, discusses it, and improves it together.
Falls remain one of the leading causes of construction fatalities — and are preventable. Even a fall from just a few feet during routine work can change a life in seconds. Consequently, on day three we paused to refocus on planning ahead, using proper protection, and staying alert on every step, ladder, and edge. Stop. Speak Up. Stay Tied Off.
Respecting the plan means respecting each other. As conditions shift — weather, equipment, sequencing, site layout — the safest teams don’t push ahead on autopilot. They pause, communicate, and adapt. If something changes: Stop. Reassess. Replan. Respect also means using Stop Work Authority with confidence and supporting others when they use it. It’s how we prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs), eliminate STCKY hazards, and ensure the plan protects everyone.
This week highlighted what matters most — our people. The photos from our jobsites show teams living the pillars Recognize, Respond, Respect and managing high-energy risks with tools like the Energy Wheel and the Hierarchy of Energy Control. Thank you to everyone who participated and led by example. We’re carrying this momentum through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027 as we continue Building a Better World.
Thank you for the commitment and teamwork brought to Construction Safety Week. You showed what All In Together truly means. Every time you Recognized a hazard, Responded with intention, or Respected the people and work around you, you strengthened our shared effort to prevent serious injuries and fatalities. Whether you led a discussion, shared your experience, joined a demo, or simply checked in on a teammate, your actions mattered. And the momentum doesn’t end here. Let’s carry these pillars forward and keep building a culture where everyone speaks up, takes action, and gets home safely.
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