Safety is more than a priority at CSM Group. It is the foundation of everything they do. Recognized as a finalist for the 2025 Safety Award of Excellence in the general contractor category, CSM Group continues to push boundaries with inventive safety strategies, meticulous planning, and holistic approaches to employee well-being. Their achievements prove just how committed they are to creating safer, healthier, and more collaborative workplaces, setting a new standard for the construction industry.
Transforming Safety Through the Leadership Series
CSM Group has taken their safety efforts to the next level with the Safety Leadership Series, an upgraded version of their safety roundtables. This program dives deeper into workplace safety by focusing on reviewing and analyzing safety data, especially near-misses, to spot risks before they become bigger problems. With a culture that values open dialogue and teamwork, everyone—employees, leaders, and project teams—works together to turn raw data into real, actionable solutions.
The Safety Leadership Series is making a big difference. It creates a space where teams can come together to focus on continuous improvement, helping CSM Group reduce potential incidents and build a shared sense of responsibility. Plus, it offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for credentialed professionals, so participants can stay up to date with the latest industry safety standards.
Weekly Inspections for Safer Work Environments
At CSM Group, staying on top of safety is a priority. That’s why every member of the project team now does weekly safety inspections. It’s not just about accountability—it’s about everyone taking an active role in creating a safer workplace. These inspections help identify and address potential hazards before they become a problem, ensuring that the work environment is safe for all employees.
What makes these inspections stand out is how collaborative they are. Safety teams and project members hit the job sites together, tackling risks on the spot and turning every walk-through into a real-time training session. In just a two-week period, they conducted 141 inspections, spotting everything from messy work areas to electrical hazards. All these findings feed into their bigger safety plan, giving them real data to keep improving and building a stronger safety culture overall.
Leveraging Technology with Power BI
Living in the age of data means having access to powerful digital tools, and CSM Group has leveraged this advantage through Power BI, a platform that provides real-time safety metrics. The integration of this data dashboard aligns safety goals with day-to-day execution, offering a transparent view of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as safety audits, good catches, and near-misses.
Power BI simplifies access and interaction with safety data for all users, including executives and frontline staff. It emphasizes transparency, illustrating that safety is a collective responsibility. This access empowers everyone with the tools needed to prevent hazards and mitigate risks.
Total Human Health—More Than Physical Safety
CSM Group recognizes that safety extends beyond helmets and harnesses. It includes the emotional and mental well-being of their workforce. Through a Total Human Health framework, they go above and beyond traditional construction safety practices by addressing holistic employee health.
Key initiatives include a robust employee intranet where workers can access mental health resources, wellness programs, and critical safety documentation. By adding emotional and psychological support to their EHS programs, they show that safety is about creating a space where everyone feels valued and cared for.
This approach also shows in how they tackle construction-specific issues, like supporting mental health. Their Construction Suicide Prevention Event, held in collaboration with MIOSHA, has raised awareness about emotional well-being, opening conversations about a topic that is too often overlooked. This event is a reminder of how important it is to take care of every aspect of workforce health.
Proactive Solutions for OSHA’s Construction Focus Four Hazards
CSM Group’s dedication to safety is evident in their targeted efforts to address OSHA’s Construction Focus Four Hazards: falls, electrocution, struck-by, and caught-in/between scenarios.
- Falls: Every project comes with a customized fall protection plan that includes guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems. They tackle fall risks right from the start with preconstruction planning, daily inspections, and trade partners following safety guidelines.
- Struck-By Incidents: Workers gain better awareness on the job with tech-driven equipment training, site access controls, and mandatory high-visibility PPE. These steps help keep a clear and safe distance between workers and active machinery.
- Caught-In/Between Hazards: Strict lockout/tagout procedures, machine guarding, and confined-space training are standard practices. These rules, coupled with heightened awareness and technical training, create a safer environment for teams handling heavy machinery.
- Electrocution Risks: Collaboration with electrical contractors ensures power sources are properly grounded. Additionally, ongoing training equips workers with the tools to identify and address these hazards effectively.
These thoughtful strategies help each project stay safe by reducing the chances of incidents and encouraging a mindset of readiness and awareness.
Partnering for Safety
At CSM Group, working with trade partners is core to their approach. They pre-qualify contractors to ensure shared safety commitment before starting projects.
From the planning stage, safety goals are clearly incorporated, with joint meetings promoting team alignment. Throughout the project, contractors participate in inspections, training, and peer reviews, ensuring shared responsibility for a safe work environment. Recent initiatives such as the KRESA Career Connect Campus demonstrate how a partnership-focused approach results in outstanding outcomes.
Leadership That Drives Excellence
CSM Group’s commitment to safety excellence begins at the top. With a leadership team that prioritizes employee well-being, the company benefits from thoughtful, hands-on guidance to keep safety a core focus. A recent nomination of one of the company’s leaders to a national health and safety committee highlights both individual expertise and the organization’s dedication to industry leadership.
Key executives and safety leaders work together to align safety initiatives with the company’s People First philosophy. This value-driven leadership fosters a strong safety culture, empowering every team member to prioritize safety in everything they do.
Key executives and safety leaders work together to align safety initiatives with the company’s People First philosophy. This value-driven leadership fosters a strong safety culture, empowering every team member to prioritize safety in everything they do.
A Culture Built on Innovation and Collaboration
CSM Group’s ability to innovate and meet high safety standards is what makes them a finalist for the Safety Award of Excellence. Their initiatives—such as the Safety Leadership Series, targeted hazard strategies, and the Total Human Health framework—not only improve their safety practices but also positively impact everyone working with them.
At CSM Group, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s a core value. By combining teamwork, technology, and strong leadership, they have built a culture that prioritizes people. Their commitment to continuous improvement and focus on what truly matters set them apart as leaders in construction safety.
At CSM Group, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s a core value. By combining teamwork, technology, and strong leadership, they have built a culture that prioritizes people. Their commitment to continuous improvement and focus on what truly matters set them apart as leaders in construction safety.
