“We preach that we provide a safe, quality product, not a quality, safe product.”
The wording might sound similar, but placing “safe” first is crucial to Andrew Jones Jr., Director of Safety for H.B. Neild Construction.
That safety emphasis begins during the hiring and orientation process, when new employees are given the knowledge and tools needed to assist during emergency situations.
That effort recently included approximately 40 H.B. Neild team members, who were divided into two groups to receive training in first aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and the use of an automated external defibrillator, commonly known as an AED.
According to Jones, the instruction is especially effective because of the expertise of certified instructor Jeanne May of MayDay CPR & First Aid Training.
The instruction focused on responding appropriately to cardiac and respiratory emergencies involving people of all ages. Additional training covered choking protocols, adverse reactions to medications and other emergency-response procedures.
Using training manikins and emergency-response equipment, May guided team members through the steps necessary to respond properly. The instruction also included guidance on evaluating emergency situations and assisting people of different ages and sizes.
May shared current response strategies from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, ASHI and Safety Institute USA. She is also a Texas-certified health teacher.
“It’s almost like MayDay puts the cookies on the bottom shelf for the kids,” Jones said. “She explains it in a way that everyone can understand and utilize. It’s more than instruction. It’s a lot of hands-on work. The willingness of the group showed through their teamwork. They were very enthusiastic.”
Jones said the quality instruction is made possible by company leadership’s willingness to dedicate employees’ regular working hours to safety training and professional development in a focused, academic environment.