By Hannah Aguilar-Mota
Being safe on the construction site doesn’t require decades of experience. It does, however, require unwavering commitment. That’s why we’re happy to honor Dome Construction laborer James Kumar as the eMOD Construction Safety Hero for the month of April.
“James takes safety really seriously,” said Cesar Hernandez, an assistant superintendent with Dome and James’ manager. “He doesn’t tolerate any safety issues — and he’s not afraid to stop work if he sees anything that’s unsafe.”
Case in point: James, who’s worked in construction for 2.5 years after a long career in transportation, recently noticed that workers erecting a scaffolding were modifying it in a way that was unsafe. He reported it and the job was halted until the scaffolding met Dome’s safety standards.
“They were trying to take a shortcut and they are not allowed to do that,” Cesar said. “James spotted it for me.”
James, a 47-year-old father of two, is also very involved in project-related safety training and orientations for Dome’s workers and trade crews — despite only being in the industry for a few years.
“He’s just a great safety resource,” Cesar said.
We recently had the chance to talk with James about his work and his views on safety in construction. Here’s what he had to say:
What does being safe mean in your day-to-day work?
It means we make sure a job site is a safe place for everybody who comes — and that everyone goes back to their family safely at the end of the day. Safety is number one.
Do you think your perspective on safety is different than someone who’s been in construction for decades?
It is different — but the same in that the number one goal is to be safe. As a newcomer, if I see something that’s not safe, I’ll go to my superintendent and get guidance on how to help make it safer.
Do you find it hard to talk about safety to workers who maybe just want to get the work done quickly?
There are people that are like, “I come here to get the job done. I don’t want to spend half an hour in orientation” — or they don’t want to do what they need to in eMOD. But I tell them, “This is part of the job. If you want to work here, this is what you need to do to work with us.” I tell them, “the (safety) notices are right there on the door. It’s not from me.”
How do you use eMOD?
We use it for a lot of things — including job-site orientations, COVID-19 cleanups, and COVID-19 (health screening) before we enter a job site.
Has eMOD changed your work?
It’s made it easier for us, yes. Pretty much everything (safety-related) is there.
What are some of the biggest hazards you see in your daily work?
There are a lot of tripping hazards, working on scaffolding, climbing ladders — those sorts of things.
How do you avoid those hazards turning into safety incidents or accidents?
By planning and making sure we’re using the right tools at the right place, like the right scaffold at the right place. Or, when you need an 8-foot ladder, don’t use a 6-foot ladder.
Do you ever find it difficult to balance the need to keep people safe when there’s a lot of pressure to get things done?
Sometimes people just want to get the job done — but they don’t think about their lives. It’s not just about getting the job done. What matters more is your life and getting home safe.
Yeah, there’s a lot of pressure, but you want to get the job done in the right way. It’s not just getting the job done fast.
What does it mean to you to be honored as a safety hero?
It feels great! I’d like to thank my superintendent Cesar for keeping an eye on me and helping me do my job right. I think this (honor) makes him happy, too.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Keeping an eye on everybody and making sure they get home safe — including me. I want everybody to go back home to their families. That’s my favorite part of the job.
Thanks James — and congratulations!
What is the eMOD Safety Hero Award?
Once a month, eMOD highlights someone working in the commercial construction industry who practices their craft with a safety-first approach. We recognize heroes who put safety ahead of productivity, who take action today to make our work safer tomorrow, who do the right thing rather than the most convenient. They promote accountability among team members, champion the latest safety practices, and encourage transparency about hazardous situations as they arise.
Nominate an eMOD Safety Hero Today
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Hannah Aguilar-Mota is an onboarding specialist for eMOD.