June is National Safety Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about workplace safety, job site safety, and employee well-being. At Sunrise Engineering and Utah Testing & Engineering, safety is more than a requirement. It is a core part of the company culture and an important part of delivering reliable professional engineering, inspection, and testing services.
From engineering design and field inspections to materials testing and project management, Sunrise Engineering and Utah Testing believe that a strong safety culture helps protect employees, support clients, and improve project outcomes.
“At Sunrise and Utah Testing, safety is not just a program; it’s part of our daily operations and decision-making,” said Jenny Davenport, Safety and Quality Assurance Manager. “Our safety culture is proactive, consistent, and people-focused.”
Daily Safety Pause Keeps Safety Top of Mind
One of the most visible parts of the Sunrise Engineering safety culture is the company’s daily Safety Pause initiative. Each workday, employees receive a short safety message focused on awareness, hazard recognition, and safe decision-making.
The purpose is simple. Pause for a moment, think about safety, and carry that awareness throughout the workday.
“The Safety Pause initiative was implemented to help maintain awareness of safe practices without a significant interruption to daily workflow,” explained Matt Day, Chief Operating Officer. “We literally ‘pause’ for just a few seconds, turn our thoughts to a safety topic, and return to work with increased awareness.”
Managers are also encouraged to begin internal meetings with a Safety Pause discussion. By incorporating safety conversations into regular meetings and planning discussions, Sunrise Engineering reinforces that safety is part of every project and every decision.
Employees have responded positively to the program, often discussing Safety Pause topics throughout the day and applying them to both workplace and personal situations.
Weekly Safety Training Through SafeTIP
In addition to the daily reminders, Sunrise Engineering and Utah Testing employees participate in weekly SafeTIP safety trainings delivered through the company’s learning management system (LMS).
The SafeTIP program provides short, focused lessons followed by a quiz to reinforce learning and track participation. Topics cover a wide range of real-world risks and safety concerns, including:
- Job site safety
- Driving safety
- Hazard awareness
- Cybersecurity
- Office safety
- Seasonal safety
- Personal and home safety
- Health and wellness
“It’s difficult to create training that applies to every employee and every role, so we focus on topics that reflect real-world risks employees face every day,” Jenny said.
The LMS system helps the company maintain accountability and consistency by tracking completion and sending reminders when trainings are missed. It also supports insurance reporting and ongoing safety documentation requirements.
“Safety extends beyond the job site,” Jenny explained. “By addressing driving, cyber security, and personal safety, we help employees stay safe in all aspects of their lives, reinforcing that we value our employees.”
Matt added, “We want everyone to go home safe at the end of their day, and we want them to come back to work the next day ready to work.”
Using Technology to Improve Driver Safety
Because many Sunrise Engineering and Utah Testing employees spend significant time on the road traveling to projects, the companies have also invested in fleet dash camera technology to improve driver safety and reduce risk.
The fleet camera initiative was implemented to:
- Improve driver awareness
- Encourage safer driving habits
- Support coaching opportunities
- Reduce incidents and costs
- Provide clarity during incidents when needed
According to Jenny, employees have already reported improvements in both work and personal driving awareness as a result of the program. Driver scores have improved significantly over the past several months, and the cameras have helped provide additional clarity during public complaints and questionable incidents involving company vehicles.
Importantly, the program is designed to support coaching and continuous improvement rather than punishment. Employees can monitor their own driving scores through an app and proactively improve their driving habits, while managers recognize employees who demonstrate safe driving and measurable improvement.
Safety Committee Supports Continuous Improvement
Another important part of the Sunrise Engineering and Utah Testing safety culture is the company’s Safety Committee, which meets monthly to review safety concerns, discuss trends, and improve safety programs throughout the organization.
The committee includes employees, managers, and company leadership from multiple departments and service areas. Discussions regularly include:
- Job site observations
- Office safety concerns
- Incident reviews
- Driving telematics
- Safety Pause topics
- SafeTIP training ideas
- Employee feedback
- Opportunities for process improvement
“The Safety Committee plays an active role in identifying gaps, suggesting improvements, and helping ensure programs remain practical, effective, and aligned with real work conditions,” Jenny said.
Leadership involvement also remains a critical part of maintaining a strong safety culture throughout the company.
“When leaders actively participate and demonstrate commitment, it reinforces expectations and helps build trust across the organization,” Jenny added.
Safety Culture Benefits Employees and Clients
At Sunrise Engineering and Utah Testing, safety is directly connected to quality, professionalism, and project success.
“Our employees and their talents are the essence of who we are,” Jenny said. “Maintaining the health and safety of each employee is essential.”
A strong safety culture helps:
- Protect employees and their families
- Support reliable project delivery
- Reduce risk on projects
- Improve communication and accountability
- Build trust with clients and stakeholders
- Maintain consistent, high-quality service
Many clients also require strong safety systems and documentation as part of project contracts and partnerships. Sunrise Engineering and Utah Testing continue investing in safety programs, employee awareness, and continuous improvement to meet those expectations while supporting employees in the field, office, and laboratory.
“There are many approaches to safety,” Matt said, “but one thing we count on in our safety culture is accountability. We have accountable people who consistently make good decisions.”
As Sunrise Engineering and Utah Testing recognize National Safety Month this June, both companies remain committed to building a workplace where safety is continuously reinforced, openly discussed, and actively practiced every day.
“Safety isn’t just another thing to check off a list,” Matt said. “It is something we become as we increase awareness and make good choices.”