Safety

McAninch Corporation has an uncompromising commitment to safety. Five full-time employees administer training and inspection programs that cover all aspects of job performance in the field, at the maintenance facility, and in transport operations.

A comprehensive Safety Manual governs the performance of earthmoving and underground utility crews. New employees study the manual during a comprehensive orientation process specific to their occupation.

Operating Engineers and Laborers receive safety training from their unions during Apprenticeship. Additional training is specified for each job description and employees receive incentive compensation when their individual courses are completed. This program was developed with the cooperation of the unions and Iowa OSHA.

Superintendents and Field Supervisors are subject to additional training requirements, including First Aid and CPR, Confined Space, Lifting and Rigging, Forklift and Powered Platform, PPE Assessment, and Hazard Communication. Supervisors conduct weekly “Toolbox Talks” to keep their crews mindful of safety practices in general and hazards specific to their current work sites.

Through constant observation, Field Supervisors are fully aware of employee performance, and immediately correct practices if an individual exhibits a lack of diligence. To further assess hazards and performance, the Director of Safety and Field Safety Manager visit project sites to monitor work in progress and consult with Supervisors. Operators and laborers are required to wear appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) when situations dictate. Emergency Response Plans are in effect for all hazards to which workers may be exposed.

Every Winter, Field Supervisors gather at McAninch headquarters for a week-long Safety Meeting. Guest speakers from the insurance and construction industries, and from government agencies, give expert advice on a variety of programs and practices.

At McAninch’s 40-bay Maintenance Facility and transport staging area, Maintenance Safety and Transport Safety Managers constantly supervise operations. Maintenance supervision includes, but is not limited to, the safe use of tools and power equipment, proper handling of fuel and lubricants, and the use of PPE. Transport oversight includes the safe loading and securing of machines on trailers. Drivers are subject to wide-ranging DOT and OSHA training.

A five-member Safety Committee meets at the Maintenance Facility to evaluate programs and procedures. One of their innovations, reported in Construction Equipment magazine, was the invention and installation of “Lock-Out/Tag-Out” switches on all McAninch machines. The LOTO disables the electrical system to prevent the inadvertent operation of components that could injure a technician.

Proof that all these efforts are successful comes from the Workers’ Compensation Modifier, or Mod Rate, tabulated by McAninch’s insurance underwriter. A Mod Rate is an insurance benchmark for a particular industry that adjusts the premium charge for Workers’ Comp coverage. The lower the rate the better the safety record, and the McAninch Mod Rate is one of the lowest in the earthmoving industry.

For more information, contact Mark Pehl, Safety Director, at 515-267-2500, or

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