Helping a leading manufacturer build a strong safety culture and reduce risk

Safety isn’t just a priority in manufacturing—it’s a promise made every day to protect lives and keep operations running smoothly.

Fabrication environments are challenging: employees work with heavy machinery, high temperatures, elevated platforms, and hazardous materials. These conditions mean risks like falls, equipment injuries, chemical exposure, and ergonomic strains are always present. 

TransTech Group’s Chief Risk Officer, Shawn Riley, sums up their approach: “Our Goal Zero Safety vision is about zero incidents, zero accidents, and zero environmental releases. At TransTech Group, our values ensure every individual gets home safely.”

TransTech Group provides custom-engineered industrial equipment, energy systems and maintenance/support services for process industries, including energy, renewables, aerospace and data centers. With about 750 employees across 13 U.S. locations and 600,000+ sq. ft. of fabrication space, TransTech Group continues to grow by solving complex technical challenges while upholding safety standards.

The team's commitment to core values including safety, accountability, care, teamwork, synergy and excellence guides the organization in creating responsible, sustainable projects that positively impact workers, communities and the environment.

Engaging a Third-Party Expert to Advance Safety 

When evaluating organizational risk, it was important for the group to engage an outside party with specialized knowledge to help uncover and mitigate hidden or potential hazards. In working to strengthen its Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) management system, TransTech Group engaged Zurich Resilience Solutions for support. Zurich Resilience Solutions consultants worked with leadership and frontline teams, offering strategic guidance and hands-on support to identify risks and develop effective, tailored solutions.

The collaboration began with a risk assessment of TransTech Group’s safety protocols, especially for Workers’ Compensation—already a strong area. Periodic visits followed, aiming for continual improvement. Zurich Resilience Solutions’ recommendations, rooted in industry experience, helped ensure practical and sustainable safety upgrades for the long term.

A key outcome was the deployment of a risk management platform, integrating data from carriers and third-party administrators, which enabled real-time loss trend identification and targeted mitigation strategies. With more than a dozen facilities, centralized risk data helped TransTech Group promote safety initiatives quickly and effectively.

Advancing Safety Through Targeted Risk Reduction

Industry-wide, ladders are commonly used for daily tasks. TransTech Group adopted the recommendation to switch to OSHA-approved platforms for greater stability. The National Safety Council reports that 35% of nonfatal injuries and 21% of workplace deaths stem from falls². After moving to platforms, TransTech Group saw a significant drop in accidents and Workers’ Compensation claims—a 50% reduction year-to-date and a 62.5% improvement from 2024 to 2025.

Further, health and wellness initiatives—mandatory pre-employment physicals and robust return-to-work protocols—were implemented to confirm medical fitness for every role, minimizing injuries and supporting wellbeing. Employee-led assessments and reviews help maintain preparedness and protection against risks.

The safety collaboration also strengthened emergency preparedness, with plans updated for emerging risks like active shooter scenarios and a new central communication system. Employees reported greater readiness, reflected in 42% faster evacuation and a 33% increase in drill response times.

Another standout element of TransTech Group's safety culture is the empowerment policy: any employee, subcontractor or visitor can stop work if safety or operational integrity is in question. Everyone receives a red STOP card to halt operations until safety issues are resolved—a policy strictly enforced and central to their reputation as safety leaders.

Regular engagement between Zurich consultants and TransTech teams encourages continuous improvement and open feedback, making safety a dynamic priority, not a checklist.