June marks National Safety Month, a time to reaffirm what matters most at CEC: the health, well-being, and lives of our people.
At CEC, safety is more than a policy; it is a shared commitment driven by leadership and embraced at every level of the organization. Leaders play a critical role by modeling safe behaviors, empowering employees to pause work when risks are identified, and encouraging open, blame-free reporting of hazards and near-misses.
To further explore how safety shapes our culture and daily practices, we connected with David Parise, CSP, CEC’s Corporate Safety Director, to share his insights and experiences.
Question: Why is a strong safety culture essential to CEC’s long-term success?
Answer: A strong safety culture protects employees, who are CEC’s most important asset, while also improving job performance by creating a safer workplace. This leads to fewer workplace injuries, illnesses, and accidents, which in turn contributes to improved productivity and quality. When safety is prioritized, employees feel valued, retention increases, the company’s reputation is protected, and trust with clients is strengthened.
Q: How can CEC leaders inspire employees to make safety a personal priority every day?
A: The most important factor is leading by example. When employees see leaders prioritizing safety over shortcuts, it sets a clear standard. Leaders must also empower workers to stop work when unsafe conditions or behaviors are observed and cultivate a blame-free reporting culture that encourages reporting hazards and near-misses. Just three years ago, employees reported only 23 hazards or near-misses over an entire year. By 2025, that number increased more than tenfold to 323, demonstrating growing engagement and accountability.
Q: Can you share a moment in your career that shaped your perspective on safety?
A: Safety is ultimately about returning home to your loved ones and friends in the same condition as when you arrived at work. Unfortunately, I have personally experienced situations where that did not happen, and those moments change you forever. Life is short, and people depend on you. It is important to slow down, think through each task, assess potential risks to yourself and others, and make thoughtful, safe decisions while still enjoying your work.
Q: What’s one lesson about safety that has stayed with you throughout your career?
A: One key lesson is the importance of listening. Safety is about asking questions rather than simply giving instructions. Employees have different personalities, work processes, and skill levels, so it is essential to understand the obstacles they face when trying to work safely. By listening and learning, we can continuously work to eliminate or minimize those obstacles.
Q: What’s the most overlooked aspect of workplace safety?
A: Psychological factors are often overlooked. Stress, mental health challenges, fatigue, and communication gaps can all contribute to unsafe behaviors in the workplace.
Q: What is one simple habit every employee can adopt to make a meaningful impact on safety?
A: One simple yet powerful habit is asking yourself “what if?” before taking action. For example, consider what could happen if you use a particular tool, choose a certain route, or wear specific equipment. Every decision has consequences, and taking a moment to evaluate potential outcomes can help ensure those consequences are positive.
Q: What is the future of CEC workplace safety, and how can we stay ahead?
A: As technology continues to advance rapidly, it is essential that safety practices evolve alongside it. The future of workplace safety includes AI-driven analytics, real-time PPE monitoring, and virtual reality (VR) training. Examples include mobile applications that log near-misses to help predict and prevent incidents, smart PPE that monitors vital signs and tracks posture or repetitive strain in real time, and VR training that allows employees to experience and respond to hazardous scenarios in a safe, controlled environment.
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