Chicago-headquartered GI Stone, McHugh Construction and W.E. O’Neil Construction are joining contractors across the country May 5-9 in celebrating Construction Safety Week, the construction industry’s annual week-long, safety-focused event designed to promote worker safety and wellness. Employees gathered to discuss fall prevention, safety precautions, mental health and the week’s motto, ‘All in Together.’

At commercial stone provider GI Stone, employees reviewed safety precautions including protection from inhaling silica dust, which is generated when cutting, grinding and polishing stone. The firm has invested in equipment and technologies to reduce silica dust emissions, including wet-cutting equipment, portable air scrubbers, and an air monitoring device that triggers an exhaust and filtration system when silica levels rise above a specific threshold, eliminating 95% of emissions. GI Stone has also enhanced job site safety by repurposing a vacuum system used by landscapers to install hundred-pound floor pavers with ease, allowing a single worker to do the same amount of work as five team members while reducing the chance of back injuries and crushed extremities. Similarly, the company recently purchased a machine able to lift stone panels weighing up to 1,000 pounds with the ease of a remote. “We work with stone, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the stone age,” said Brian Tatar, field director at GI Stone.

“Everyone home safely, every day” is McHugh Construction’s motto that drives its safety and health program. McHugh teams are taking extra time on jobsites this week to review safety programs and participate in safety meetings called “toolbox talks” held weekly year-round.

“Safety is priority No. 1 on every project we build,” said Rachael Dolecki, senior safety manager at McHugh Construction. “Construction Safety Week is an ideal time to thank our employees for all their hard work in ensuring everyone goes home safely every day and to reinforce the safety best practices that are so critical in this industry.”

W.E. O’Neil Construction, which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this month, is conducting hands-on demonstrations across the firm’s offices and jobsites from coast to coast aimed at reinforcing safety awareness. These sessions cover topics such as crane safety, fall prevention, utility trenching and hand safety.

“Together we can move the construction industry toward a zero-injury mindset,” said W.E. O’Neil Construction CEO John Finn. “Safety is not just a priority, it’s a culture. Let’s work together to build a stronger safety culture on all jobsites, where constant vigilance can resolve problems before they lead to injuries.”

About GI Stone:

Founded in 1995, GI Stone is a commercial stone provider specializing in sourcing, fabrication and installation of interior and exterior custom stone to clients nationwide. Based in Chicago’s Hubbard Street industrial district, with clients in markets throughout the country, the company sustains strong relationships with local and international stone providers to source the highest-quality raw materials available. GI Stone provides fabricated stone products to developers and contractors for upscale commercial developments, consulting with architects, engineers and interior designers to shape the stone into elegant finishes and execute the owner’s vision. A short list of GI Stone’s high-profile projects includes the Tribune Tower Residences, the Obama Presidential Center, Four Seasons Chicago One Bennett Park, No.9 Walton, Fulton East, Embry and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. For further information on the company, please visit www.gistone.com.

About McHugh Construction:

Specializing in multi-family residential, hotel and hospitality, and recreational facilities, McHugh Construction is a fourth-generation, privately owned company and one of the largest full-service construction firms in the United States. McHugh provides a platform for collaboration, transparency, and efficiency. Within that seamless approach, the firm offers a full range of core competencies and capabilities including general contracting, construction management, design-build, preconstruction services, program management, concrete construction and structural engineering services on behalf of every client on every project. McHugh’s unwavering commitment to its clients, its ability to deliver exceptional results on time and within budget, and its dedication to growing and developing its partnerships with subcontractors is the reputation the firm has built are the reasons behind its 80% repeat business. McHugh has transformed some of the most luxurious five-star hotels, including the Peninsula, Ritz-Carlton Chicago and Four Seasons; constructed record-setting high-rise buildings with NEMA Chicago, St. Regis Chicago and Aqua Tower; built recreational facilities at United Center and Indoor Track & Field Facility at Gately Park; and led the transformation of Navy Pier through its Centennial Vision renovation program. McHugh has also completed several projects around the country in locations including Nashville, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and South Florida. For more information on the company, visit www.mchughconstruction.com.

About W.E. O’Neil Construction:

W.E. O’Neil has been a leader in the construction industry since its founding in 1925. Today, this 100% employee-owned firm proudly builds upon its historic roots to deliver on its mission of bringing thoughtful leadership to the building experience. The company is structured to benefit its clients with the stability of a strong bonding capacity, financial security and localized regional expertise. It is headquartered in Chicago with operating units in 12 offices across six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee and Texas.