At UMC, we care about our employees and their well-being and safety. That’s why we established our “Pride-based Safety” program. It’s based on a simple yet powerful premise —doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons, especially when no one is looking. Our employees work carefully and deliberately, watch out for one another, and regularly take steps towards recognizing and addressing safety hazards. These are the four safety principles we work by:
- Lead by Example. Do the right thing, not because it’s a rule, but because it’s right. Everyone is responsible for their safety and the safety of their coworkers. All employees are empowered to drive safely. Project managers, superintendents, and foremen lead safety by words and actions on the job sites. Our frontline workers are recognized as job experts who diagnose problems and formulate solutions.
- Own Your Zone. Each employee has the right tools and safety equipment. Each is responsible for evaluating his or her work area to ensure it’s clean, organized, and hazard-free.
- 5 for 5. Frequent safety chicks and being vigilant about safety are important. Every 5 minutes, do a 5-second visual risk assessment.
- Know When to Stop. If you’re unsure about something, STOP, ask, and get more information before proceeding.
Our commitment to safety has led to several industry-wide honors. It’s also resulted in a low EMR, or Experience Modification Rate. This is a calculation that insurers use to calculate workers’ compensation rates by evaluating a company’s historical cost of injuries and future risk changes. The average EMR in construction is 1.000 and our current rate is 0.53. Out of more than 36,000 contractors, our company has the 11th lowest EMR in construction in Washington State and among mechanical contractors, UMC we have the third-lowest.
We know that it’s not easy to always do the right or safe thing. But it’s what we do. We step up to every challenge with careful planning and execution at every stage of a project. Our frontline workers, foremen, and project managers are empowered to watch for any possible opportunity for improvement, frequently delivering outstanding innovations that have helped us become the most dynamic and advanced mechanical contractor in Washington.
At UMC, we also support and invest in our workforce. We believe that offering competitive pay and benefits is important. As such, we offer medical, dental, vision, HSA and life insurance coverage for our employees, their spouses and families; a 401K plan with company match; profit sharing and a 100% paid tuition apprenticeship program, among other benefits.
Want to learn more about us? Whether you’re looking for the best in commercial plumbing and HVAC services or for a career with a company that truly cares about its employees, call us today at (801) 254-4038.
