News, Safety

Safety is an expectation at 20/20 Plumbing & Heating, not something we address only after an incident occurs.

On August 13, teams across the company came together for our second Safety Stand-Down of 2026, dedicating the morning to reinforcing safe work practices, increasing hazard awareness, and introducing additional tools designed to help prevent injuries before they happen.

A major focus of this Stand-Down was the rollout of 20/20’s 5×5 Safety Prevention Protocol and a renewed emphasis on identifying and communicating potential hazards before they turn into incidents.

Building a More Proactive Safety Culture

Construction safety depends heavily on what happens before a task begins.

Taking the time to inspect equipment. Looking at the work area. Identifying nearby hazards. Wearing the proper PPE. Communicating with the crew. Slowing down when something does not look or feel right.

Those expectations were reinforced throughout the Stand-Down.

The morning focused on moving beyond a reactive approach to safety and giving employees practical ways to recognize risks earlier. As part of that effort, teams were introduced to the 5×5 Safety Prevention Protocol, reinforcing a consistent process for stopping, evaluating conditions, and thinking through potential hazards before work continues.

The Stand-Down also introduced an expanded focus on near-miss reporting.

A near miss is an event that does not result in an injury or damage but easily could have. Those situations provide an opportunity to identify a hazard, correct it, and potentially prevent future incidents.

Employees were encouraged to speak up when they see something that could create a safety concern and to participate in finding the solution.

The expectation is not simply to work safely yourself. It is to pay attention to the environment around you and help protect the people working beside you.

Safety Expectations Start Before the Work Begins

Throughout the morning, employees participated in training and discussions covering many of the everyday situations our teams encounter.

The Stand-Down began with a live Stretch and Flex demonstration focused on preparing the body for the workday and reducing the potential for strains and sprains.

Teams also participated in a hands-on Ladder Inspection Challenge, using ladders that had already been removed from service to practice identifying potential defects. The exercise reinforced a fundamental safety expectation: equipment should be inspected before it is used, and damaged equipment should never remain in service.

Additional discussions covered ladder safety, personal protective equipment, daily huddles, vehicle and fleet safety, housekeeping, work-area cleanliness, and communication between employees.

While many of these practices may feel routine, that is exactly why they are important to revisit.

Safety can be compromised when someone becomes comfortable, distracted, or rushed. The Stand-Down reinforced the importance of taking the extra moment to assess the situation and make the safer choice.

Communication Is Part of Prevention

Another important theme throughout the Stand-Down was communication.

Daily huddles give crews an opportunity to review the work ahead, required PPE, tools, nearby trades, changing conditions, and potential hazards before the day gets underway.

The 5×5 Safety Prevention Protocol and near-miss reporting build on that same principle.

Employees closest to the work are often the first people to recognize when something could become a problem. Creating an environment where employees are expected and encouraged to communicate those concerns gives teams an opportunity to address hazards earlier.

The goal is prevention.

Rather than waiting until someone gets hurt to determine what could have been done differently, 20/20 Plumbing & Heating is continuing to strengthen the processes that help our teams identify those risks ahead of time.

Employees Put Safety Into Practice

The Stand-Down was designed to be interactive rather than simply a morning of presentations.

Employees worked through real-world safety scenarios, participated in group discussions, practiced identifying hazards, and shared ideas about how conditions could be improved.

Teams also participated in a safety poster challenge centered around topics including PPE, ladders, housekeeping, vehicle safety, near misses, and injury prevention.

These activities help make safety personal and give employees an opportunity to contribute directly to the safety culture we are continuing to build throughout 20/20 Plumbing & Heating.

Industry Partners Join Our Corporate Office Safety Stand-Down

At our corporate office, several industry partners joined us in supporting the day’s activities. Hajoca sponsored lunch for our employees, providing tacos for the team during the Safety Stand-Down. Milwaukee Tool was also onsite, giving employees the opportunity to see tools and equipment firsthand, while Boot Barn joined us in support of the event and our team.

We appreciate each of our partners for spending the morning with us and supporting an event focused on reinforcing our safety expectations and protecting the employees who make 20/20 Plumbing & Heating what it is.

Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility

A Safety Stand-Down may take place on a specific day, but the expectations reinforced during it apply every day.

Inspect the equipment.

Wear the proper PPE.

Keep work areas clean.

Communicate with your crew.

Identify hazards.

Report near misses.

Use the 5×5 Safety Prevention Protocol.

And when something does not look right, stop and address it before continuing.

Our second Safety Stand-Down of 2026 was another opportunity to reinforce those expectations across 20/20 Plumbing & Heating and continue building a culture where prevention, communication, and personal responsibility are part of how we work.

Thank you to our employees, Safety Team, leadership, Hajoca, Milwaukee Tool, and Boot Barn for helping make the morning a success.