A standardized worksite safety policy establishing countywide safety protocols to strengthen worker protections is now approved, following Harris County commissioners’ 3-1 vote during the Nov. 13 court meeting. Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey voted in dissent.

The original motion by Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis outlined various goals and key components of the proposed policy, which includes establishing clear safety monitoring and inspection standards to enforce compliance among stakeholders and workers. Ellis said every year, 100 workers lose their lives on construction sites in Harris County.

"Our goal obviously is clear: zero preventable deaths, stronger safety standards and better enforcement across every county-funded project," Ellis said.

The context

Linda Morales is the organizing coordinator at the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation and said she represents more than 70 affiliated labor unions. She told Community Impact that leading up to the Nov. 13 Commissioners Court session, several meetings focused on worker safety took place between labor representatives and county stakeholders, including officials from county administration, the engineering department, the toll road authority and flood control.

At an active Harris Health facility construction site in the Texas Medical Center on Nov. 12, Morales outlined policy mandates that include the following:

• Every worker receives training on their safety rights and how to report unsafe conditions without retaliation.
• Every worker has direct channels, including a fraud, waste and abuse line, to report unsafe conditions.
• Weekly mandatory safety meetings on every site occur to keep workers informed about hazards and prevention measures.
• Prime contractors are responsible for the safety of everyone on their job site.
• Workers and safety officers have the right to stop work immediately if they identify imminent danger.

"The county makes it clear that no worker should have to choose between their job and their life," Morales said.

The need

Occupational Safety and Health Administration Outreach found that 80%-90% of serious injuries are caused by human error, which can be prevented by giving site safety training. The industry with the highest fatality rates comes from the manufacturing industry, the organization reported.

Martin Trevino, a local contractor who owns All Team Services, also spoke during the Nov. 12 news conference. His business offers residential and industrial services such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

“This worksite policy shows that Harris County is serious about protecting workers and ensuring taxpayer-funded projects are done right by the book and without cutting corners,” Trevino said. “As prime contractors, we have the duty to ensure everyone on our sites—subcontractors, vendors and delivery crews—go home safely at the end of each shift.”

The context

Ellis and Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones told the media Nov. 12 about the need for the worksite policy alongside union leaders, local business leaders and contractors.

“Responsible contractors know that they win when they have [a] stable, safe, consistent workforce and higher quality projects,” Briones said. “As a county—and you as taxpayers of Harris County—you win when we are keeping workers safe to deliver your taxpayer-funded projects.”

The impact

In 2021, workplace injuries across the U.S. cost $167 billion and amounted to $47.4 billion in wage and productivity losses, according to a 2024 report from a Houston-based OSHA training organization.

Vladimir Naranjo is an engineer, local business owner and member of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association. He said at the Nov. 12 news conference that the new policies make sense and mean fewer accidents, fewer delays and higher productivity.

“Today's announcement shows what can happen when business, labor and the government work together,” Naranjo said. “A lot can happen when we work together. When workers are safe, businesses thrive.”

On the other hand

Ramsey said at the Nov. 13 court meeting that the process was rushed and more work still needs to be done on the implementation process.

"I think we just need to understand that if we think we're solving all the job site safety issues today, this isn't going to do it," Ramsey said. "We spent only a month working on the site safety policy, the area where the real impact would be. I think we need to ask ourselves, 'What is the timeline? Why [did] we wake up a month ago and [say] we're going to get this done in a month?'"