Blattner’s strong safety culture is built by teams who plan well, train consistently, use the right tools and look out for one another every day. Construction Safety Week is the ideal time to reflect on that commitment and the work happening behind it every day.
Last year, that preparation was put to the test at one of our wind energy projects in Iowa. A member of our civil team suddenly collapsed while performing routine work. For the next 13 minutes, his team took calculated, prepared action to save his life.
“In an incident like this, every second matters,” said David Palan, Regional Health, Safety and Environment Manager. “What stood out to me was how calmly and decisively everyone acted.”
A co-worker immediately called 911 and stayed on the line, guiding emergency responders to the exact location on the jobsite.
“That awareness comes from having a solid Emergency Response Plan and reinforcing it daily,” David said. “Crews talk through site access and emergency routes during Job Hazard Analysis meetings, so when the call had to be made, there was no hesitation.”
Within seconds, a Grading Foreman alerted the Assistant Grading Superintendent, who arrived with an automated external defibrillator from his truck. He confirmed the employee had no pulse, deployed the AED and began CPR.
A Site Safety Manager soon took over compressions, while the onsite paramedic provided oxygen support. At the same time, crew members cleared access routes to ensure first responders could reach the scene without delay.
“Every person knew their role and stepped in,” David said. “That preparation made the difference.”
The employee survived—an outcome made possible by planning, training and tools.
The Capacity Model helps us anticipate gaps, identify hazards and put controls in place before work begins.
Job Hazard Analyses (JHA) are a critical part of that process. Crews review a JHA before every task, every day. Together, they identify hazards and discuss controls and emergency response steps. Work does not begin until everyone agrees it is safe to proceed.
“The JHA discussions are empowering. They give people a voice,” David said. “They know they have the authority to stop work if something does not feel right.”
Training is most effective when paired with the right tools. Every project, vehicle and office is equipped with AEDs. As part of Quanta’s companywide AED program, Blattner has more than 1,500 devices available for use.
Another critical layer is onsite medical support. Blattner partners with an onsite medical vendor who provides trained medical professionals with mobile medical vehicles on every project. Their presence supports both prevention and rapid response in remote environments.
Beyond medical professionals, every Foreman, Field Engineer, Leadperson and Superintendent receives CPR, first aid and AED training. “When seconds matter, that training shows up,” David said.
“These projects become their own communities,” he said. “People spend long hours together, and their connection is real.”
That sense of responsibility and caring shows up when teams inspect equipment, participate fully in training and follow plans and processes even when no emergency is unfolding.
“It shows how much our people care about each other,” David said.
Clients see that commitment as well. Safety plans are shared and discussed transparently and partnerships are strengthened through that trust.
“When clients see how seriously we take care of our people, it builds confidence,” David said.
Our strong safety culture supports stable careers. When our people feel protected and respected, they work with greater confidence. They speak up, watch out for one another and take pride in the work they do.
“We ask a lot of our crews,” David said. “They give a lot in return. Making sure they go home safe is our responsibility.”
Construction Safety Week highlights that commitment, but the actions behind it happen year-round.
“This story is about a single incident,” David said, “But that same dedication to safety through planning and training applies to everything we do.”