Zero Recordable Incidents

Over the course of the last 26 years, the team at VentureSum Corporation has inventoried over 53 million poles, driven hundreds of thousands of miles, and has maintained a record of zero OSHA recordables since day 1 of operation. Our impeccable safety record did  not happen by chance. It has been achieved and  maintained because of careful planning, preparation, training, and diligence.  One of our highest priorities is safety and because of that, we have invested countless hours and numerous resources into our Safety Programs over the years. We have continued to maintain a .95 EMR (Experience Modification Rate) and a “Pre-Qualified” status with Avetta, Vero and ISN (International Suppliers Network).

Safety Begins with the Hiring Process

Our commitment to safety begins with the hiring process. With 95% of our work requiring driving on and off road, we have very high standards set for applicants who may be getting behind the  wheel of one of our vehicles. If offered employment, they will not only represent VentureSum when they are in the field, but they are also seen as an extension of our clients’ teams as well, and it is of the utmost importance that we represent our clients well.  In order to pass the Safe Driver Test, a potential hire must have/complete the following:

  • No license suspensions within the last 5 years
  • No more than 2 traffic violations within the last 5 years
  • Completion of a Defensive Driving Course upon advancement in hiring process
  • Completion of a Distracted Driving Course upon advancement in hiring process
  • Zero violations throughout their 90-day probation period while training as a field auditor

 Our Safety Director is personally involved with the hiring and training of new employees and ensures that each new hire is equipped with the knowledge necessary to continue our impeccable safety record.

The “Pilot”

When we begin a new project in an unfamiliar city or state, it usually begins with a “Pilot”  where we audit around 5,000 poles in various areas throughout the defined project zone. We not only identify unique aspects of the project regarding utility construction or identification, but we also assess any potential risks or hazards and determine how to negate or eliminate those risks or hazards when we begin the full project

The “Safety Reset”

On a regular basis, we pause our work to remind our field team of the 3 mental and physical attributes that are typically in place prior to an accident: Complacency, Fatigue, and  Impatience. Our auditors know that if any of these things begin to come to the surface, they need to stop what they are doing and  take as long of a break as needed to clear their minds. Only after a “safety reset” are they to return to work. 

Weekly Safety Meetings

The VentureSum Field Team holds weekly safety meetings. Almost every safety meeting is led by one of the field auditors. Employee involvement is critical to a successful safety program. If the  employees are not involved and take ownership of their safety and the safety of others, safety  performance will decline. The safety meetings are not for pushing policies and procedures (though they may be included). Primarily, the topics center around real-time potential hazards or risks the field auditors may have experienced that day or week. If an auditor has come across a safety concern during the week, they will lead the meeting to discuss their experience with the hazard and how they safely avoided an incident. 

Performance Driven Policies & Procedures

At VentureSum Corporation, policies and procedures do not drive the safety program, human  performance does. We incorporate a little of both BBS (Behavior-Based Safety) and HOP  (Human & Organizational Performance). If an incident were to occur, we would not necessarily want to look at “who” it was but “why” it may have occurred. We always try to look at the bigger picture and the circumstances surrounding the decisions being made instead of implementing more policies and procedures at VentureSum. Do not misunderstand, policies and procedures are essential. We must have  guidelines and barriers in place. But we must also consider “why” people make the decisions they make and the system in which those decisions are made. By focusing on and discussing how we avoid safety incidents, we have been able to maintain a our perfect record.