How Almasi Companies is Embracing a Human-Centered Approach to Construction Safety
At Almasi Companies, safety is more than a policy—it’s a core value. As a leader in construction, we understand that protecting our team requires more than rules and compliance checklists. That’s why we are embracing Behavioral Safety Training and the principles of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) to strengthen our culture, reduce risk, and empower our workforce.
These approaches recognize the real-world complexity of construction and put people—not punishment—at the center of safer job sites.
What Is Behavioral Safety Training?
Behavioral Safety Training focuses on observing, understanding, and improving the everyday actions that lead to safe or unsafe outcomes on the job. The idea is simple: most workplace incidents can be traced back to behavior. If we can identify and reinforce safe habits while addressing risky ones, we reduce injuries before they happen.
At Almasi, this means:
- Encouraging jobsite observations and open feedback
- Engaging employees in identifying hazards
- Reinforcing positive behavior through coaching, not criticism
This isn’t about catching people doing the wrong thing—it’s about helping them do the right thing, even under pressure.
What Is Human and Organizational Performance (HOP)?
HOP is a philosophy that challenges traditional “blame and discipline” models. Instead, it acknowledges that people make mistakes, and it’s often the system—not just the individual—that sets the stage for failure.
HOP is built on five core principles:
- Error is normal – Even skilled workers make mistakes.
- Blame fixes nothing – Holding someone accountable doesn’t solve the root issue.
- Context drives behavior – The environment, deadlines, tools, and culture all impact decision-making.
- Learning is essential – Every incident or near miss is an opportunity to improve.
- How leaders respond matters – A respectful, constructive response builds trust and drives engagement.
At Almasi, this means shifting from a compliance-first mindset to a people-first culture.
Why This Matters in Construction
Construction is a high-risk, fast-moving industry where conditions change daily. Traditional safety programs often struggle to keep up with that pace. HOP and behavioral training offer a more adaptive, human-focused alternative.
Here’s how these principles make a real difference on our jobsites:
- They reduce repeat incidents. When we understand the why behind behavior, we fix problems at the source.
- They build trust. When employees know they can report mistakes without fear, they speak up sooner.
- They improve productivity. A safer, more confident team works more efficiently with fewer disruptions.
Most importantly, they reinforce what we already believe: every person on an Almasi jobsite deserves to go home safely.
How Almasi Companies Applies These Principles
Our commitment to HOP and behavioral safety is more than theory—it’s embedded in how we operate. Here’s how we’re putting it into action:
- Training and Education: We equip our teams with practical safety training that goes beyond checklists and empowers decision-making in the field.
- Jobsite Observations: Supervisors and peers regularly observe work in progress—not to criticize, but to coach and support.
- Learning Reviews: After an incident or close call, we don’t point fingers. We gather teams to talk through what happened, what made sense at the time, and how the system can be improved.
- Leadership Accountability: Our leaders model HOP principles by focusing on root causes, removing obstacles, and promoting open communication.
We’re also shifting how we measure success. Instead of only tracking injury rates, we’re focused on leading indicators—like near-miss reporting, worker participation, and proactive risk identification.
A Culture Shift That Saves Lives
The construction industry is changing, and we are proud to be at the forefront of that change. We believe the best way to reduce risk is by understanding people—how they think, what they experience, and what they need to work safely.
By combining behavioral safety training with HOP principles, we’re not just checking boxes—we’re building a resilient, people-first safety culture that benefits everyone.
At Almasi Companies, safety is not just about avoiding incidents. It’s about building trust, learning from experience, and ensuring every team member feels seen, heard, and supported.
Because when we build for people, we build better.
