icon Mechanical Named 2024 SMACNA Safety Innovator of the Year

Granite City, Illinois-based icon Mechanical is the winner of the 2024 SMACNA Safety Innovator of the Year Award. The award will be presented during the Annual Business Meeting at the SMACNA Annual Convention in Palm Desert, CA, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa on Wednesday, October 30.

icon Mechanical's innovative Good Catch program revolutionizes workplace safety and mental health through technology. By employing QR codes, we empower employees to report safety observations at any moment, fostering a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility. 
This initiative simplifies hazard reporting and enables real-time analysis, leading to swift corrective actions and a notable reduction in accidents. To maximize the Good Catch program's visibility and accessibility, we strategically place QR codes on daily JSAs, TBTs, and other prominent locations throughout our projects. This deliberate placement ensures that every employee's opportunity to report good catches is always within arm's reach, regardless of their role or location on site. 

This program creates a dynamic feedback loop, encouraging vigilance and continuous improvement across our nationwide projects. By analyzing trends, we promptly address potential risks, significantly enhancing our safety culture. 

icon conducts a bi-weekly drawing to promote engagement further and recognize individual contributions, randomly rewarding the "Best Catch" and other submissions. This boosts morale and underscores our commitment to valuing every submission. 

Since its launch 16 months ago, the program has received nearly 300 submissions, identifying and mitigating countless hazards. Its effectiveness is underscored by a significant milestone achieved in 2023—surpassing 1.5 million work hours without a lost time incident. This achievement directly reflects the positive impact of employee engagement and our technological approach on icon Mechanical's safety performance. 

Moreover, the Good Catch program's success has attracted the attention of industry leaders, inviting us to share our approach with other major contractors and owners. This initiative highlights our commitment to safety and sets new industry standards & value for our company and beyond.

In talking about what winning this award means to his firm, Joe Shyrock, Safety Director icon "We are deeply honored to receive the SMACNA Safety Innovator of the Year Award. This recognition reflects our steadfast dedication to safety and our commitment to pioneering practices that ensure our team's and clients' well-being. At Icon Mechanical, safety is a priority and a fundamental value guiding all our actions. Our ultimate goal is for every individual to return home safely each day. By enhancing the well-being of everyone involved in our projects and equipping them with the knowledge to prioritize safety at work and home, we are fostering a culture of safety beyond our job sites. This award is a testament to our team's relentless efforts and dedication. We will continue to push the boundaries of safety and innovation."