Architectural Metals, Inc. (AMI) excels in cultivating a safety-first culture, consistently elevating industry standards. Being a finalist for the Trade Contractor 2025 Safety Award of Excellence highlights their dedication to worker well-being. Through innovative practices, proactive measures, and continuous improvement, they set the pace in ensuring team safety. AMI’s leadership actively promotes safety throughout all operations, implementing a dynamic, data-informed approach that has revolutionized risk identification and mitigation.
Innovation in Safety Reporting
AMI’s safety approach emphasizes a robust system for reporting near-misses and unsafe conditions, fueled by teamwork and innovative ideas. Team members are motivated to report potential hazards and take responsibility for risk mitigation by sharing their experiences through brief videos. These videos, recorded by employees facing and addressing challenges in real time, are accessible across the company via the safety platform, Tyfoom.
This innovative use of video storytelling not only highlights unsafe conditions but also creates a shared learning resource accessible to everyone in the organization. Employees across all levels gain a clearer understanding of hazards, identify recurring patterns, and adopt effective safety measures. At AMI, everyday challenges are transformed into opportunities for learning, promoting a culture where everyone actively participates in ensuring safety.
Data-Driven Training and Content Development
AMI stays ahead of potential risks by using Tyfoom’s analytics to guide its training programs and toolbox talks. The company focuses on key safety performance metrics, including Lost Workday (LWD) rates, Total Recordable Incident Rates (TRIR), and Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) metrics. By closely tracking these indicators, AMI makes sure its training materials and resources address the most urgent issues.
A specific emphasis is placed on the “big four” hazards—falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in/between events, and electrocution. Videos and toolbox talks centered on these high-risk areas not only raise awareness but also enable employees to identify and prevent hazards proactively. This targeted approach maintains engagement and equips the team with practical knowledge crucial for life-saving actions.
Proactive Safety Measures
Safety begins well before an issue appears, exemplified by AMI’s proactive approach. Daily jobsite walks by safety personnel, field leaders, and team members serve as opportunities to spot and mitigate potential risks early on.
Pre-project inspections are a core element of AMI’s risk management. These checks enable the team to identify hazards ahead of time, ensuring everything is in place before work commences. Thoughtful planning fosters a safe, productive environment, allowing AMI to complete projects efficiently and safely.
Pre-project inspections are a core element of AMI’s risk management. These checks enable the team to identify hazards ahead of time, ensuring everything is in place before work commences. Thoughtful planning fosters a safe, productive environment, allowing AMI to complete projects efficiently and safely.
Empowering Teams to Own Safety
What truly distinguishes AMI’s safety culture is how leadership empowers teams to take ownership. Safety isn’t treated as an external requirement; it’s part of the core values in every project and among all crews. Crew leaders are instrumental in ensuring their teams remain safe. Giving them this responsibility helps build accountability, teamwork, and trust.
However, autonomy doesn’t equate to isolation. Crew leaders are continuously supported through a network of resources, including access to leadership and safety directors when necessary. Striking the right balance between independence and support has made it easier for AMI to identify and address risks on-site. The outcomes are clear—an organization where every employee contributes to a culture of safety and excellence.Yet, autonomy doesn’t mean isolation. Crew leaders are always supported by a network of resources, including access to leadership and safety directors when needed. Finding the right balance between independence and support has made it much easier for AMI to spot and tackle risks on the jobsite. The results speak for themselves—an organization where every employee plays a role in maintaining a culture of excellence.
However, autonomy doesn’t equate to isolation. Crew leaders are continuously supported through a network of resources, including access to leadership and safety directors when necessary. Striking the right balance between independence and support has made it easier for AMI to identify and address risks on-site. The outcomes are clear—an organization where every employee contributes to a culture of safety and excellence.Yet, autonomy doesn’t mean isolation. Crew leaders are always supported by a network of resources, including access to leadership and safety directors when needed. Finding the right balance between independence and support has made it much easier for AMI to spot and tackle risks on the jobsite. The results speak for themselves—an organization where every employee plays a role in maintaining a culture of excellence.
Leadership’s Role in Driving Success
Every great safety initiative starts with a leadership team that’s all in. At AMI, the leaders set the example by putting people first, always. This commitment creates a company-wide mindset where safety comes first, no matter what.
With a strong commitment to integrity and continuous improvement, this leadership team drives innovation in safety practices. Whether strategizing or conducting on-site observations, they take a hands-on approach to ensure safety remains front and center.
A Culture Worth Celebrating
AMI being named a finalist for the Trade Contractor Safety Award of Excellence shows just how dedicated they are to safety and innovation. By focusing on near-miss reporting, data-driven decisions, and proactive jobsite management, they’ve not only kept their team safe but also set a standard for the entire industry.
Safety defines who they are. By empowering employees, leveraging innovative platforms like Tyfoom, and aligning every action with purpose, the company has created a culture of excellence that deserves recognition. AMI’s story shows how a safety-first culture can make a real difference, not just at the jobsite, but in the lives of everyone they impact every day.
