50 Years Safe
At Triad Engineering, safety is more than a policy; it is a core value that shapes the way we work, communicate, and support one another.
In this blog, five Triad team members from different departments and locations share their personal perspectives on how our safety culture has grown over the years and what it means to them. Their experiences reflect the evolution of our safety practices and the commitment we all share to keeping ourselves and each other safe, not just on the job, but in every aspect of life.
“When I first started at Triad in the Saint Albans Environmental Department eight years ago, safety was a clear priority.
I did not step into the field without being HAZWOPER certified. PPE was provided during onboarding, and field safety was communicated for each individual project before mobilization.
Coming from a background in safety, I felt comfortable sharing any concerns with my supervisor. In my current position, I want everyone in our Triad family to feel the same way. We are stakeholders not only in our own safety, but in the safety of the coworkers and personnel we work with each day.
Operational risk factors could be viewed in terms of insurance premiums, vehicle repairs, or lost work time. However, at Triad, we recognize the value of proactive processes, incident prevention, and, most importantly, the health and welfare of our employees.
Triad has grown as a company over the past fifty years. It has shown the ability to improve its safety culture, strengthen communication, and develop safer employees. This is just the beginning. Being safe is an intentional act of continuous improvement, and I truly believe our employees are our greatest asset.”
Cadaris Woods
Corporate Safety Manager
Saint Albans Office
“Over my thirty years with Triad, I have seen our safety culture grow immensely, and I am incredibly pleased with its continued progress. Improving Triad’s safety culture has always been a priority for me. I continue to urge everyone to remain safety-minded at all times and to look out for yourselves and others both at work and at home.
Our safety initiatives and goals are the result of countless hours of effort, including contributions from our OSRs, our Corporate Safety Manager Cadaris Woods, our Safety Committee members, and many other dedicated leaders. From day one, we establish a strong foundation with mandatory OSHA and vehicle training during onboarding. We reinforce it through consistent messaging.
Our monthly Safety Talks are well-attended, and we are seeing increased participation in our Near Miss submissions, Vehicle Maintenance Checklists, and Job Hazard Analyses across all offices. The launch of iReportSource has helped streamline these efforts into one accessible platform.
Safety is always a top priority. Let us make Triad Safety Day 2025 a celebration of all we have achieved. Thank you for your commitment to making Triad a safe environment for everyone.”
Brad Reynolds
Chief Executive Officer
“Looking back on my twenty-one years with Triad, I feel incredibly thankful that Triad has always been invested in growing its safety program. Safety has always been a priority, but the way we approach it today shows how much we have evolved as a company.
Earlier in my career, particularly in survey work, the conversation around safety was different. We understood its importance, but we did not have the tools and processes that are available today. It was not uncommon to pause and ask whether PPE or signage was needed for a job along a highway or in a busy downtown area. Our decisions were often based on experience and judgment in the moment.
Today, our approach is more structured and consistent. Resources like Job Hazard Analyses and iReportSource have helped shift the focus from whether protection is needed to which protective measures are appropriate. Safety is now embedded in everything we do, and that shows real progress.
Even the small details matter. Items like sunscreen and bug spray, which were once an afterthought, are now recognized as essential to staying safe and healthy in the field.”
Ronald Bidle
Survey Project Leader
Hagerstown Office
“When I think back on Triad’s safety culture since 1996, it is clear that significant progress has been made. Personal protective equipment has improved significantly, and access to it has expanded. Today, making sure our field staff have the right PPE is a standard part of our operations, which reflects our growing commitment to safety.
I still remember when we did not perform Job Hazard Analyses. At first, they were only required for the drilling department. Over time, that changed. Now, every field staff member is required to complete a JHA before starting a task. It has become a normal and essential part of how we work.
While we may not hear about the incidents that never happened, we know that these tools have prevented injuries. Only those present at the time may realize something was avoided because a hazard was identified in advance.
This is why our near-miss reporting program is so important. It gives people a way to share these moments, not to check a box, but so the rest of us can learn from them. Safety is not just about policies or paperwork. It is about people looking out for each other, sharing knowledge, and constantly improving how we work.”
Troy Hammond
Quality Control Project Leader
Winchester Office
“Triad team members have shared how they have seen safety evolve and what it means to them. Safety is a core value at Triad. It is not limited to construction sites. It is paramount at the office, on the jobsite, and at home. Keeping safety top of mind should not begin and end with the workday.
Embracing safety as a culture both at work and at home fosters a mindset of awareness, responsibility, and care. When safety becomes part of daily thinking, we are more likely to anticipate risks and take steps to prevent accidents. At work, a strong safety culture reduces injuries, boosts productivity, and shows that the organization values employee well-being.
This mindset also carries over into our personal lives. Practicing safety at home contributes to a healthier environment where everyone understands the importance of caution and preparedness. Whether it is using the right tools, installing smoke detectors, or teaching kids about emergency plans, these actions reflect what we promote in the workplace.
When safety becomes second nature, we are less likely to take unnecessary risks and more likely to support one another in creating safe environments. Making safety a shared value, not just a set of rules, ensures it becomes a part of everyday life.
We are all proud that Triad takes safety seriously and considers it a key part of our culture. Our Triad family is united by our core values of safety, wellness, and service. We live by these values to strengthen our relationships with our clients, our families, and the communities we serve.”
Dave Meadows
ASCE Region Four Governor
Chief Technical Officer
Saint Albans Office
Safety Works at Triad
