How S&B Builds a People-First Culture Through HOP and Workforce Development
At S&B, safety is more than a policy—it’s a core value and a way of life. In fact, the April 2025 issue of Industrial Projects Report features S&B for its pioneering approach to construction safety and workforce empowerment. The article highlights how the company redefines what it means to protect and support the people who build the nation’s critical infrastructure. So, what makes us different?
Learn More about Human and Organizational Performance
Rather than relying solely on traditional compliance-driven safety models for safety , S&B has embraced Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). Experts like Dr. Todd Conklin and Rob Fisher inspire this leadership philosophy, acknowledging that human error is inevitable. Instead of eliminating mistakes, HOP focuses on building resilient systems designed to adapt, respond, and protect even when things don’t go as planned.
Key principles of HOP, such as understanding that “error is normal” and that “blame fixes nothing,” are fully embedded into S&B operations. This mindset has helped shift the culture to one of learning and problem-solving. The result? A workplace where safety is cultivated from the ground up.
Safety Programs to Empower People
One key initiative is the People Observing People (POP) program. POP gives workers the ability to evaluate their environment and tasks in real time. Using a simple QR code, they deliver immediate feedback to leadership. This direct connection turns safety into a daily, two-way conversation—one where every person plays a role in the team’s success.
Improve Construction Safety with Craft Commitments That Work
S&B’s Lifesaving Commitments, developed by craft professionals in the field, reflect the real-world conditions of high-risk work. These commitments prove practical and actionable. That insight leads to process improvements—not punishment—reinforcing a culture of trust, psychological safety, and employee involvement.
Workplaces Built for Safety and Community
S&B creates a people-first environment by investing in worker comfort, morale, and skill development. Job sites include climate-controlled break areas, clean facilities and easy parking to create a comfortable work environment in the field. Regular performance celebrations, like shared meals and fun crew competitions, reinforce a sense of camaraderie and community.
Through programs such as the Industrial Craft Competition and the Earn-While-You-Learn initiative, S&B actively trains the next generation of skilled professionals across the Texas Gulf Coast. In 2024 alone, more than 370 helpers were enrolled in its no-cost, hands-on apprenticeship and task-based learning programs.
With safety embedded in its culture and empowerment driving its performance, S&B continues to raise the bar on its approach to safety in the construction and engineering industry.
To read the full Industrial Projects Report article, visit here. To join a team that puts people first, visit sbec.com/careers.
