Consistency is a rare thing in business. One of the challenges modern companies face is maintaining a positive culture. Our founders believed that through consistency and shared values it is possible to preserve the dynamic culture they originally intended. When the organization began, they decided to build it on three metaphorical pillars: safety, quality, and productivity. These three concepts form the base of what Mesa was formed on and will continue to be in the future.
At Mesa we take great pride in hiring those that share our values and presently we have well over 900 like-minded individuals. We are all working together to build the best natural gas generators on the market. How do we do that? Our engineers design components, our assembly teams build them, and our maintenance teams provide valuable support for rental and customer units. It is the people within Mesa that are responsible for innovation and that is why safety is the first of our three pillars. We have a responsibility to our employees to actively practice a non-negotiable culture of safety.
Accountability
If you have spent any time in an organization that relies heavily on production or maintenance, you know safety is a big part of the daily flow. At Mesa, we subscribe to that ethos as well. A culture of safety is not worth much if the team does not have accountability. Aside from those rock climbers who don’t use ropes self-preservation is almost always a universal human trait. Unfortunately, there are many factors that can contribute to an unsafe environment without the individual realizing they are in danger. So, we cannot always count on self-preservation to be a guiding light. A culture of safety must be in place.
While it may sound easy, establishing a culture of safety takes effort, buy-in, and a sense of agency. While the fundamentals are foundational, “practicing” safety in real time is a skill that can be improved and will evolve with time. Some organizations treat safety as if it lies with those in the trenches, when in reality, it starts at the top. At Mesa we believe safety is a core value, from the c-suite to the assembly floor, all the way to the most remote field location. Due to the nature of the business many of our employees are required to work late at night, in remote locations with limited support, and in high-risk situations. If these employees do not feel like they are responsible for their own safety, bad things could happen.
Stop Work Authority
One of the fundamental concepts of safety in the environment Mesa operates is stop work authority. Meaning, any employee has the ability to immediately stop work if any condition is unsafe is observed. We like to stress the fact that there is no exception to this rule, anyone at anytime can use stop work authority to prevent possible consequences. Nobody will be criticized for stopping work at any time. The awareness this encourages has prevented many hours of lost time incidents.
Ownership
Each employee is responsible for their work area and beyond. The concept of “See it, own it” is one way we actively promote this concept. For instance, if a ladder is leaning against the wall, many times housekeeping standards require the ladder to be secured to the wall with a chain or other methods. Employees working in or around the area should be trained to recognize such hazards and have ownership to correct the unsafe situation.
One way we establish ownership of the workplace is to utilize a JSA or job safety analysis. Before any work begins, relevant information will be relayed about hazards the team may face during the day. Environmental factors like heat index, wild animals, and weather threats are discussed. Unique concerns that might be part of the daily cadence will be addressed, and each team member will acknowledge participation in the JSA with a signature. Each member is responsible for not only their area but the workplace as a whole and the understanding of the hazards involved.
Everyone Doing Their Part
At Mesa, we make it our daily routine to practice safety. Throughout June, we will be focusing on safety and what that means for our employees and clients. A safe workplace is a productive workplace and at Mesa every employee is empowered to make the workplace safe for them and their colleagues. In a natural gas generator, the engine provides the work to create power. At Mesa our employees generate the power, they are the engine, and we are committed to maintaining an exceptional safety record, so they return to their families every day. Without exception. After all it is the first of our three pillars, Safety, Quality, and Productivity.
