Ames joins forces with companies across the nation for Construction Safety Week starting Monday, May 5. The 2025 theme – All In Together: Plan, Own, Commit – encourages us to work together to build a stronger, safer industry.
SIFs and the STCKY Wheel
Construction Safety Week will include a focus on SIFs and the STCKY Wheel. SIFs stands for Serious Injuries and Fatalities. These are injuries that are life ending, life threatening, or life altering.
A single SIF can change lives forever, affecting coworkers, their families, and the organization. It is crucial to understand the factors that contribute to these incidents and to proactively address them.
An effective way to reduce the risk of SIFs is a concept known as the Energy Wheel or STCKY Wheel. STCKY stands for Stuff That Can Kill You. The STCKY Wheel is a tool used to visualize and assess the flow of energy in hazardous situations.
Think of energy as it relates to injuries. Every injury is the result of a coworker coming into contact with an energy source. The more energy, the more severe the injury.
Every Ames coworker is responsible for identifying and taking steps to control high energy hazards. That's why we'll talk about the STCKY Wheel during Construction Safety Week and beyond.
✏️ Monday: Plan with precision
High performing teams start every day and operation with a strong plan that considers every aspect of every task. The earlier a task can be planned, the more opportunities there are to develop the most effective risk controls.
⚡Tuesday: Identify high energy hazards
Safety is not just the absence of incidents; it is the presence of effective controls. To foster a truly safe environment, teams must identify and control jobsite hazards, with a deliberate focus on STCKY high energy hazards.
👷Wednesday: Own your part
When every team member takes responsibility for identifying risks and taking corrective actions, it fosters a culture of accountability.
🤝 Thursday: Engage and empower team members
Engaged employees are more committed to excellence and are more likely to ensure safety and quality. Empowered employees feel confident in their abilities and are more likely to take initiative, identify potential hazards, communicate concerns, and suggest improvements.
🏅 Friday: Commit to excellence
In the world of construction, we're not just building things. We’re engaging in the ultimate team sport. When we commit to excellence and deliver with intent, we redefine what it means to be a top-performing construction team.