A Different Kind of Tailgate Party

Early Monday morning the men and women responsible for building the New Irvington Tunnel have one thing in mind: SAFETY. Why? Because construction can be a dangerous profession and working underground adds to the risk. This is why safety is paramount for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) and Southland/Tutor Perini Joint Venture (STP).


Safety is important every day, however, Tailgate Meetings kick off every work week for all construction personnel working onsite. It gives safety managers and construction superintendents the opportunity to reinforce safe work practices. For example, when discussing fall protection, presenters demonstrate the proper use of personal protective equipment. Workers are also reminded to strap in when they are elevated over six feet. The presentations are designed so workers think safety before, during and after any activity. Other safety topics include first aid, emergency tunnel rescue and chemical handling.

Tailgate Meetings are just one tool (incidentally they are also called Toolbox Meetings) used to promote STP’s proactive safety culture. Signs posted through out the site are another way of encouraging workers to think and practice safety. Future blog posts will go into more detail about a number of safety related topics such as emergency tunnel rescue and gas testing and training.