At Gordon Highlander, construction site safety reflects our values. Our approach is rooted in proactive planning, strong relationships, and measurable results. Safety is a shared effort shaped by our people, our culture, and our responsibility to one another.
This article shares how we approach safety, from defining roles to tracking performance and why it matters.
What Is a Trade Partner at Gordon Highlander?
In many construction companies, subcontractors are treated as temporary labor. At Gordon Highlander, we refer to them as trade partners because that is what they are: collaborators in every part of the work we do.
Our trade partners bring specialized expertise to each project. We work with them during preconstruction planning, on-site coordination, and safety discussions. They are fully integrated into our team and culture.
As John Cannon, our Safety Leader, puts it:
“We don’t succeed without our trade partners. When they step onto our job sites, they’re family — and that mindset changes how we approach safety.”
Essential Roles in Construction Site Safety and Team Training
Construction safety requires coordination across many roles. This team approach helps us manage safety consistently on projects of all types and sizes. Each one carries a unique set of responsibilities and influence. Here is how we share the work of safety:
- Safety Director and Safety Team provide oversight, coaching, and site visits
- Superintendents perform weekly site safety audits and manage daily job site safety
- Third-party Safety Professionals offer full-time safety coverage on high-risk projects or when required by the client
- Trade Partners submit job hazard analyses and follow all established safety procedures
- Leadership and Clients support proactive safety planning and maintain open communication throughout the project
How Do We Track Safety Metrics and Performance?
We monitor key data points across our projects to measure safety performance and guide decisions. By reviewing reports from markets like Dallas, Austin, Houston, and others, we identify patterns and act early. Many of the metrics we track are informed by OSHA standards and verified through regular safety compliance audits, including:
- Experience Modifier Rate (EMR), which reflects our claims history and affects insurance costs
- OSHA Recordables and Incident Rates, which track the frequency and severity of injuries
- Property Damage Rate, which helps identify equipment and job site risks
- Jobsite Safety Audits, submitted weekly through Procore by superintendents and third-party safety teams
- Trade Partner Safety Data, including EMRs, OSHA records, and program documentation
“When I see the same safety issues show up in multiple reports, that tells me where our next incident could happen,” says Cannon.
“That’s the benefit of staying ahead, not reacting after something goes wrong.”
How Do We Build Trust with Clients Around Safety?
Safety plays an essential role in how we build and maintain client trust. Many of our partners have strict safety requirements, and they rely on us because they have seen our commitment firsthand.
We collaborate with clients from the start to assess risk, review procedures, and align expectations. Whether working with brokers, municipalities, or national firms, we stay transparent and focused on solutions.
Some clients also look to our safety team for input on refining their own protocols. That kind of trust develops over time through consistent follow-through and communication.
“We’re not afraid to say, ‘That can’t be done safely — let’s find a better way,’” says Cannon.
“That honesty is what builds legacy partnerships.”
Preparing the Next Generation of Safety Leaders
In the past, safety was taught by memorizing codes and enforcing rules. John Cannon, our Safety Leader, remembers that clearly.
“When I started out,” he says, “I had the 1910 and 1926 OSHA books everywhere — in my truck, on my nightstand, even in the bathroom. I thought if I knew the rules, I’d be the best safety guy out there.”
With time, John learned that effective safety leadership depends just as much on empathy and connection.
“The moment I stopped trying to be the safety cop and started focusing on coaching people, everything changed,” he says. “People stopped avoiding me on job sites. They started asking questions. They trusted me.”
Today, we train our safety team to do the same. We focus on clear communication, calm leadership, and building trust. New leaders are encouraged to ask questions, seek help, and keep learning.
A tip from John? Don’t pretend to know if you don’t. Call someone. Build your network. Stay coachable.
Why Safety Is Core to Our Culture
At Gordon Highlander, safety aligns with our core values of authenticity, results, and service. It is not a separate function. It is a priority shared across the organization, starting with leadership and continuing through every role.
We maintain safe environments through planning, training, and data. But most of all, we stay focused on people. Safety influences how we plan, how we lead, and how we look out for each other.
“People make mistakes, that’s the human principle,” says Cannon. “But how management responds to those mistakes is what defines a company. And here, we respond with purpose, not punishment.”
About Gordon Highlander
Gordon Highlander, headquartered in Texas, is a premier commercial general contractor specializing in design-build and partially and fully engineered construction solutions. With decades of legacy, we have delivered millions of square feet across diverse commercial and industrial sectors. Our expertise extends to major Texas markets, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Atlanta, Georgia.