Merit Construction’s award-winning safety program is a cornerstone of our organization, ensuring the well-being of our team and the success of every project. We have been honored with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Construction Safety Excellence Award in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022, and 2024 in Tennessee, recognizing the outstanding results of our safety efforts.

At Merit, safety is a top priority, and we make it a point to set the tone for safe, efficient, and productive job sites from the outset. We establish safety requirements early by thoroughly reviewing and qualifying all subcontractors bidding on trade packages. This includes evaluating their current and past safety record, job performance, financial stability, and workload.

Merit’s full-time Safety Director, Rebecca Phillips, oversees all aspects of safety training and safety compliance on every Merit construction site. She is supported by safety-skilled supervisors who ensure daily activities are conducted with a focus on safety. Rebecca makes regular, unannounced visits to job sites to verify that safety protocols are being followed, and that the necessary safety equipment is in place.

Pre-construction orientation meetings are held for all trades involved in a project, where safety expectations and procedures are clearly communicated. Every week, all construction workers participate in a “safety briefing” tailored to the current phase of the project. These briefings, led by Merit’s Superintendent, include job hazard analysis and a review of upcoming critical tasks on the construction schedule.

Merit Construction is also an active member of the East Tennessee Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC). This collaboration with the AGC provides additional safety training and resources, helping to keep our safety program at the forefront of the industry. The AGC’s full-time safety manager is available to assist our project superintendents and Safety Director whenever needed.

Merit’s current Experience Modification Ratio (EMR) is 0.72. Our OSHA 300 log and the most recent EMR are available upon request.