By Rup Dadwan, Director of Human Resources & Safety.

At RWC Systems, we are proud to announce a significant milestone in our company’s history: achieving zero lost time days in the first quarter of 2024. This remarkable achievement highlights our strong commitment to safety and the well-being of our employees, as well as our innovative approach to maintaining productivity on even the most complex construction projects.

Safety and People: Our Core Values

Safety and people are at the heart of everything we do at RWC Systems. We understand that construction is inherently demanding and high risk despite the numerous safety measures and preventative controls we have in place. This is why our zero lost time days metric is such an incredible accomplishment. It reflects our dedication to creating a safe work environment and our proactive strategies to support our workforce.

The Reality of Worksite Injuries

Despite our best efforts, injuries can and do happen on construction sites. Recognizing this, we have developed a unique and effective “Return to Work” strategy that minimizes lost time and lost productivity. This strategy ensures that when injuries occur, we can manage them in a way that benefits both the injured worker and the overall project timeline.

Our “Return to Work” Strategy

Our “Return to Work” procedure is designed to achieve positive outcomes from both an employee and a productivity perspective. Here’s how it works:

1. Immediate First Aid and Medical Assessment: When an injury occurs, the worker receives immediate first aid at the office. Following this, should the worker need medical attention beyond first aid, the worker is sent to a doctor for a comprehensive medical assessment, accompanied by the RWC health assessment package. This package includes specific questions about the employee’s functional ability to work, which the doctor is required to answer and sign off on.
2. Assessment and Alternative Duties: If the doctor determines that the injured employee cannot continue with their normal duties, we immediately offer the worker alternative tasks that align with their assessed capabilities. This approach has dual benefits:
   1. For the Worker: The injured employee continues to receive their regular wage while performing alternative duties. This reduces the financial strain that often accompanies injury recovery, as insurance typically covers only a fraction of normal wages. By alleviating this financial burden, we allow the worker to heal at a natural pace without the pressure to return to work prematurely.
      
   2. For the Project: Alternative duties can still contribute significantly to the project’s progress. Construction involves many tasks beyond the physical installation of drywall or steel studs, such as planning, coordination, and administrative work. An employee who is not cleared for physically demanding tasks can still perform these essential functions, ensuring that the project continues to move forward without interruption.

The Results: Zero Lost Time Days

Thanks to our innovative “Return to Work” plan, we achieved zero lost time days in Q1 2024. This achievement not only highlights our commitment to safety and employee well-being but also demonstrates our ability to maintain project timelines and productivity, even in the face of challenges.

At RWC Systems, we believe that taking care of our people is not just the right thing to do—it is also the smart thing to do. Our success in achieving zero lost time days is a clear indication that our approach works, and we will continue to prioritize safety and support for our workforce as we move forward.