Annual Caltrans Industry Safety Summit
Driving Safety Forward: Caltrans/Industry Safety Summit Sparks Innovation and Collaboration
As part of its commitment to enhancing safety within work zones, Caltrans annually convenes the Caltrans/Industry Safety Summit—a pivotal forum designed to foster collaboration and innovation among industry stakeholders. Led by our dedicated team at VMS, the two-day summit brings together a diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from Caltrans headquarters, Construction Deputy District Directors, Safety Coordinators, and industry partners such as United Contractors, Associated General Contractors of California, Southern California Contractors Association, California Highway Patrol, Federal Highway Administration, and Cal/OSHA. Participation typically ranges from 200 to 300 attendees, underscoring its significance as a platform for cross-sector collaboration.
Format
The summit’s methodology is anchored in a structured Facilitation Plan developed by VMS, comprising three phases: data gathering, summit facilitation, and production of deliverables. Ahead of each event, VMS conducts surveys to gauge stakeholder perspectives and identify critical program elements (CPEs) for discussion. These elements—Enforcement, Positive Barriers, Worker Education/Training, Culture, Collaboration, Safety Innovation, and Bicycle/Pedestrian Access—are central to the summit’s agenda, guiding participants in generating innovative solutions.
Throughout the summit, VMS employs diverse facilitation techniques such as Appreciative Inquiry and Decision Analysis to ensure robust participation and consensus-building among attendees. Key activities include collaborative sessions where stakeholders prioritize safety initiatives, resulting in the identification of 10 high-priority ideas annually. These initiatives are subsequently evaluated for implementation to drive tangible improvements in work zone safety practices statewide.
The outcomes from each summit include not only prioritized safety initiatives but also enhanced partnerships and a strengthened commitment to ongoing collaboration between Caltrans and its industry counterparts. This sustained effort underscores Caltrans’ proactive approach to safety management and its dedication to fostering a safer working environment for all involved.
The Solution
- Under VMS' expert facilitation, the summit produced impactful results, notably identifying 10 new high-priority safety initiatives. These initiatives, crafted collaboratively during the event, are now set for thorough evaluation and subsequent implementation. Beyond prioritizing safety measures, each summit fosters strengthened partnerships and a deepened commitment to ongoing collaboration between Caltrans and its industry allies. This steadfast effort highlights Caltrans’ proactive stance on safety management, reinforcing its commitment to cultivating a safer working environment for all stakeholders involved.
“I wanted to express my sincere thanks to VMS for the above and beyond work you did in facilitating the Safety Summit. The team’s work made the event a huge success and due to that, we have received great feedback about the event. You helped us obtain needed safety initiatives in a way that gathered pertinent and important information from all in a very creative and inclusive way. I was impressed with your team’s professionalism and dedication. Again, your team working with my staff made the summit an overwhelming success.”