Prioritizing Safety and Well-Being in the Workplace
An Essential Part of Sertex’s Company Culture
As a service-driven organization, our employees are our most important resource. Ensuring their safety and well-being on and off the job is integral to our culture.
It is the nature of the work we do for construction crews to be deployed where the work is, often transitioning between positions and learning new tasks. To support our growing workforce, the Sertex management team has been expanded to include a new Safety Officer position naming Charles Dalton, a longtime employee, to the role. He is responsible for ensuring workers have all required certifications and licenses as well as the personal protective equipment needed at every job site. He also ensures crew members understand and follow safety protocols to prevent accidents and mitigate risk.
Dalton has been with Sertex for almost 20 years and has worked in every field position, from underground and aerial work to materials testing and certification to in-home installations. “They call me the Swiss Army Knife,” jokes Dalton, “Because Sertex values its employees and encourages growth from within, I’ve received the training and resources necessary for a successful career.”
Monthly and Annual Meetings Keep Safety Top of Mind
Whether workers have been with us for days or decades, everyone must participate in ongoing meetings and training sessions designed to identify and solve safety challenges.
Each year in January, Sertex telecom crews leave the field to attend an annual four-day safety training retreat. All deployed team members, including newly hired workers, foremen, and supervisors, learn and reinforce on-the-job safety practices that prevent injuries and save lives. Workers review and practice Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requirements, state and local regulations, and company safety practices and policies. Classroom and hands-on learning include first aid/CPR certification, AED training, equipment inspections, and demonstrations.
Throughout the year, field technicians and supervisors participate in monthly online open forums to discuss personal experiences with on-the-job challenges and brainstorm solutions. These meetings allow construction teams to discuss potentially dangerous situations and possible solutions to report the experience back to peers. Crews also can discuss current concerns and use the group’s wisdom to find answers.
Well-being begins at home
The stress of remote deployment also can impact workplace safety. With this understanding, Sertex offers flexible personal time off (PTO) to every employee and supports their families with 24/7 consultation and crisis support services from Coastline EAP. These services assist with behavioral health and family, work, and community concerns to help ensure a productive and healthy workplace.
"We know the work we do is physically challenging and that our field crews are often out of state and away from family and friends for extended periods," explains Michael Solitro, Sertex president and CEO. "We care about our employees and their families and do everything we can to protect employees from accidents and to give them critical resources that ensure their overall health and well-being."