Erhardt: Redefining Construction Safety Through Collaboration, Real-Time Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

For Erhardt, collaboration and support define their success, and safety is at the heart of everything they do. This is what’s earned them a spot as a finalist for the 2025 Safety Award of Excellence. By focusing on collaboration and continuous improvement, they’re changing the way projects are handled and building a culture that delivers real results. 

At Erhardt, safety is all about teamwork. Instead of handing down strict rules, they work side-by-side with their trade partners to tackle project safety together. By combining their expertise and resources with the specific needs of everyone involved, they build a safety system that works for the whole team on-site.  

Before the job even starts, Erhardt works closely with trade partners and stakeholders to figure out the project’s overall safety needs and tackle any specific challenges partners might face. Instead of just pointing out safety issues like traditional methods, Erhardt goes a step further by offering real support and solutions. Whether it’s providing extra resources, offering expert guidance, or delivering targeted training sessions, their team ensures that every partner is equipped to meet safety goals.

 

Erhardt uses technology to enhance safety communication. The OneSite Safety Observation system, seamlessly integrated with Procore, is a game-changer for jobsite accountability.  

Accessible to everyone on-site via a simple QR code, OneSite enables workers to report safety concerns or observations in real time. This proactive tool empowers individuals at every level to participate in maintaining safe working conditions, whether reporting a near incident, flagging a potential hazard, or offering suggestions for improvement.  

OneSite makes it easy to get quick feedback and take action right away, so safety issues don’t get delayed. It also helps create an open, transparent environment where employees feel valued and connected to the project’s success.

Erhardt views site inspections as a chance to grow and improve, not just another box to check. The team doesn’t simply document inspections and move on. Instead, they use them to drive discussions during weekly coordination and toolbox meetings. This way, nothing gets missed and everyone stays on the same page.

Rather than just handing out directives, inspections at Erhardt kick off collaborative discussions. Teams come together to plan, review, and tweak strategies to improve site safety. By getting everyone involved, Erhardt turns safety concerns into actionable solutions with a strong, united effort.

This approach creates a feedback loop where communication flows easily, risks are caught early, and safety practices keep improving based on insights and input from everyone involved.

One of Erhardt’s core principles is the belief that every project provides an opportunity to improve safety standards. They achieve this by creating processes that encourage feedback, innovation, and shared responsibility.  

Weekly coordination and toolbox meetings provide a space for teams to work together on solving problems identified during site inspections or through OneSite reports. These meetings focus on improving workflows and offering targeted training to address recurring safety concerns. Erhardt ensures that safety is always evolving and improving as a core part of operations.

Their emphasis on identifying and addressing safety needs during pre-job planning further reinforces this commitment to learning and adapting. Whether it’s equipping teams with resources or ensuring trade partners receive specialized support, Erhardt’s proactive stance helps create safer, more efficient worksites.  

At Erhardt, the focus isn’t just on safety practices; it’s on building a culture where everyone takes responsibility together. They work closely with trade professionals, provide workers with real-time reporting tools, and create platforms for open communication. They’ve developed an approach where safety is a collective goal.  

 

Erhardt’s focus on safety proves that success comes from working together. By involving leadership, trade partners, and others on a project, they ensure everyone is aligned on shared goals. With tools like the OneSite Safety Observation system, pre-job planning, and collaborative inspections, they’ve set a new standard for safety in general contracting. Their adaptable and supportive culture has made them a finalist for the Safety Award of Excellence. By prioritizing teamwork, Erhardt not only protects their team but the industry as a whole.