Target Zero: More Than Just a Number – May 2026 Safety Newsletter

The core of the Target Zero philosophy is the belief that all injuries and incidents are preventable.

Unlike older safety models that viewed accidents as “part of the job” or “bad luck,” Target Zero asserts that every hazard can be identified, and every risk can be controlled. It shifts safety from a list of rules to a moral commitment: the only acceptable number of injuries is zero.

1. The Principle of Universal Preventability

This is the most critical shift in thinking. In traditional safety, some accidents are seen as “acts of God” or “freak occurrences.” Target Zero rejects this.

• The Logic: Every incident is the result of a chain of events (the “Swiss Cheese Model”). If you identify and remove just one “hole” or failure point in that chain, the accident cannot happen.
• The Goal: To move from “Accidents happen” to “Accidents are caused, and causes can be controlled.”

2. Safety as a Value, Not a Priority

Priorities change based on deadlines, budget cuts, or weather. Values do not.

• The Logic: If safety is just a priority, it might be ranked #2 behind “finishing the job on time” during a rush. When safety is a core value, it is the lens through which every task is viewed.
• The Application: No task is so important that it justifies an injury. If a job cannot be done safely, it simply isn’t done until a safe method is found.

3. Leading Indicators over Lagging Indicators

Traditional safety measures success by how many people didn’t get hurt (lagging indicators). Target Zero focuses on what people are doing to stay safe (leading indicators).

• The Logic: Having zero injuries yesterday doesn’t guarantee zero injuries tomorrow. You could just be lucky.
• The Focus: Instead of celebrating “Days Without an Injury,” Target Zero celebrates “Number of Hazards Fixed,” “Safety Observations Completed,” and “Equipment Inspections Passed.”

4. Shared Accountability (Interdependent Culture)

In a “Zero” environment, safety is not the “Safety Officer’s” job; it is everyone’s job.

• The Logic: Human error is inevitable, but a team-based system creates a safety net.
• The Shift: We move from Independent (I look after myself) to Interdependent (We look after each other). This means having the courage to correct a senior teammate and the humility to be corrected by a junior one.

5. The “No-Blame” Learning Environment

Target Zero fails if it becomes a “Zero Reporting” culture where people hide injuries to keep the streak alive.

• The Logic: To reach zero, the organization must be “obsessed with failure.” Every mistake is seen as a data point to improve the system.
• The Implementation: When something goes wrong, the question isn’t “Who messed up?” but “What part of our process allowed this to happen?” This psychological safety ensures that the information needed to prevent the next big accident actually reaches management.

Key Implementation Pillars

1. Mindset Over Compliance

Target Zero isn’t about following rules to avoid a fine; it’s about choosing to work safely to protect yourself and your coworkers.

• Action: Don’t just look for what’s “legal”—look for what’s safe. If you see a risk, speak up immediately.

2. The Power of “Stop Work Authority”

A critical piece of this philosophy is that every person on site—from the intern to the CEO—has the authority and the responsibility to stop a task if they feel it is unsafe.

• Action: If you aren’t sure about a procedure, pause and ask. You will never be penalized for prioritizing safety over speed.

3. Focus on “Near-Misses”

Target Zero relies on catching “free lessons.” A near-miss is a warning sign that a serious injury is coming.

• Action: Report every close call. We use these to fix the system before someone actually gets hurt.

4. 24/7 Safety Culture

The philosophy doesn’t end when you clock out. To truly reach zero, safety must become a habit that follows you home to your family.

• Action: Apply the same risk assessment to tasks at home—like using a ladder or power tools—that you do at work.

Discussion Questions for the Team:

1. Do we truly believe that every accident can be prevented? If not, what’s a scenario where it can’t?
2. What is one “small” hazard you see every day that we’ve started to ignore?
3. How can we make it easier for everyone to report a near-miss without feeling like they’re “getting in trouble”?

JFK Airport Crew

Foreman Sergio Gomes and his Champion crew recently completed an exceptional joint‑venture project for Skanska/Halmar at JFK International Airport. The JFK airport is the busiest and one of the most demanding work environments in the country. Their performance set a standout example of safety, coordination, and craftsmanship, which is why we are proud to recognize them as May’s Crew of the Month.

The team installed miles of SafeSpan cable and tubing system decking across five separate ramps, covering roughly 250,000 square feet. This system provided essential access for blasting, surface prep, and painting operations. Beginning in May 2025, the crew navigated constantly shifting airport operations and site conditions with professionalism and precision.

Even as the winter of 2025–2026 brought extreme cold and heavy snowfall, the crew maintained productivity and compliance without sacrificing quality. Their work also included power‑tool surface prep and painting of approximately 1,500 square feet of steel connections from JLG aerial lifts positioned above active roadways, these tasks requiring tight coordination with ever‑changing lane closures.

Most impressive of all, the entire project was completed with zero injuries. This achievement reflects Sergio’s leadership, the crew’s discipline, and their unwavering commitment to Champion’s safety culture.

Thank you to Foreman Sergio Gomes, Project Manager Kasee Hofler, and the entire Champion crew for their outstanding performance on the JFK Roadways and Parking Garage Project (#24107). Your dedication, professionalism, and teamwork truly exemplify what it means to be a Champion.