Health Links (HL): Why is the health and safety of your employees important to you?

FCI Constructors, Inc. (FCI): The health and safety of our employees is our first priority. At FCI, safety will not be sacrificed for production, but rather considered an integral part of quality, cost reduction, and job efficiency. It is the goal of FCI to completely eliminate all accidents and injuries from our operations. Ensuring safety at our company and on our projects is the most important service we provide for our employees, clients, subcontractors, and the community.

HL: What does your workplace health and safety program look like? Do you offer both components to employees?

FCI: FCI has both a strong safety program and wellness program in place. Both programs do integrate with one another on certain levels but also operate separately. The efficiency of each of the programs is also measured separately. Because of the industry we are in, our Safety Program is monitored at a much higher level due to insurance and industry standards.

HL: How will/do you know your program is successful?

FCI: We know our programs are successful if our employees are safe, uninjured and well. FCI is a self-insured with our health insurance policies so we monitor the success of our Wellness Program when we see that our routine care practices are on the rise and people are making more health-conscious decisions in regards to their overall health.
 

HL: What obstacles did you have to overcome to get your program started? How did you overcome them?

FCI: They only major obstacle we had in implementing a Wellness Program was direction and by hiring a fantastic consultant, our program has been up and running very seamlessly from the start. It is a great success within our organization. That being said, FCI has eight offices in five states and our Wellness program brings us together as a corporate health-conscious community through challenges and activities that allow us to interact with one another that isn't solely based on our office/job responsibilities.
 

HL: Does your health and safety program help give back to your community?

FCI: Yes, at the heart of FCI's corporate culture is giving back to the communities we live and work in. This is reflected in all different facets of our company - from monetary support to volunteering and our Wellness Program is no different. Many of our athletic activities are done to raise money and awareness for a variety of community organizations and causes.
 

HL: What tip/advice would you give to a business that is considering starting a workplace health and safety program?

FCI: I would say that there has to be buy-in from the top level down. When employees see other employees, managers, officers, etc. working the program and earning health success stories, it becomes a wonderful epidemic and in time becomes an integral part of your company culture. Your employees become your biggest support team.