OLATHE, KS Terracon, a leading national engineering consulting firm with a personal and uncompromising commitment to everyone going home safe to their family each and every day, has adopted changes to its Safety Rules and Practices reflecting a commitment to an Incident and Injury-Free (IIF) workplace. As a member of the Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI), and together with their 40 partner groups and sponsors, Terracon announces the updates in conjunction with Safety Week.

The most significant change is a total prohibition of cellphone use while driving on company business. Terracon's previous rule allowed for using a hands-free cellphone function. With a nationwide fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles and more than 3,500 employees with the potential to drive personal vehicles for company business, this rule is a considerable change to business operations and requires significant employee education.

"For drivers using cellphones, even a hands-free device, the rate of collisions is four times higher than for drivers not using cellphones," said David Gaboury, Terracon President and CEO. "If Terracon did not adopt this rule change, it would simply not be consistent with our uncompromising commitment to everyone going home safe every day. We're doing this to protect our employees and their families."

As part of its Rules and Practices updates, Terracon employees are also actively warming-up for work. "Warm-Up for Work" encourages employees to stretch and use proper lifting techniques; activities that can greatly reduce the potential for and severity of back strains and soft tissue injuries.

Terracon also recently added a Safety Check-In program intended to increase engagement and collaboration between managers and field employees to assure these Terracon employees are working safely and have a voice in sharing safety ideas. More than 350 Safety Check-Ins are occurring each month, reinforcing positive work practices. Additionally, Safety Spot Bonuses encourage employees to recognize co-workers who demonstrate safe choices while at work, and award cash bonuses.

"Terracon has reduced our Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) by 250 percent since 2012," said Jim Wright, Terracon Director of Safety and Health. "Our leading indicators of Near-Miss Reporting and Safety Spot Bonuses awarded both increased more than 250 percent as well. This data shows that Terracon team members are proactively seeking out opportunities to identify and correct safety concerns."