Safety at Apex - We Build on Compliance, and Lead with Awareness
How we’re investing in and building a culture to ensure every team member gets home the same way they arrived.
For multi-site brands, the stakes around safety couldn’t be higher—an injury, a delay, or a compliance misstep can ripple across an entire program, damaging timelines, budgets, and reputations.
That’s why, at Apex, safety isn’t about checking boxes. While many in the industry take a reactive approach to avoid fines, we’ve doubled down because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Protecting our clients’ employees, their customers, our team, and our reputation is paramount.
We sat down with Safety & Compliance Manager Mauricio Gonzalez, CHST, CRIS, OSHA 500, to discuss how Apex is rethinking the traditional construction safety culture from the ground up—and why that matters more than ever as our nationwide footprint grows.
Mauricio leading a safety training workshop at Apex Headquarters.
From Carpenter to Culture-Builder: Mauricio’s Safety Journey & Philosophy
Mauricio didn’t enter the field with a clipboard—he started with a tool belt. After working as a union carpenter, he pivoted into safety nearly a decade ago, bringing a boots-on-the-ground perspective that continues to shape how he leads today.
Rather than enforcing rules from a distance, he views his role as building relationships in the field, training both Apex employees and partners to understand safety, not just comply with it.
“I don’t think the traditional ‘safety cop’ method of trying to catch people in the act, doing write-ups, and sending people home actually creates long-term change. I’ve found that if we focus on being proactive with education and awareness, compliance often takes care of itself,” he says.
Why We Hired In-House Instead of Outsourcing
Many general contractors rely on third-party firms for safety oversight. We chose a different route—investing in an in-house safety team. This allows us to lead proactive initiatives such as safety onboarding programs, hands-on partner training, in-house First Aid/CPR/AED certification, defensive driving through our learning management system, and the integration of technologies like dashcams in our vehicles.
In March, we welcomed Raul Osorto, CHST, as a new safety coordinator to expand our in-house capabilities. Raul complements Mauricio’s approach by reinforcing positive behaviors, delivering in-person training, and building authentic relationships with crews.
“A third party can check a box,” Mauricio explains. “But they don’t build trust. Our guys know Raul. They listen to him. Raul brings exactly what we want—actual conversations in the field with the crew, not just with leads or foremen. Reassuring and rewarding good practices.”
Apex field crew attending a fall safety workshop.
Leading Indicators, Not Lagging Reactions
Too many teams wait until someone gets hurt—or until OSHA shows up—to prioritize safety. We’re pushing in the opposite direction.
Apex CEO Hal Hargrave notes, “We talk a lot about safety at Apex because we live it - through jobsite visits, in-person training, and a leadership team that takes it personally. We want our team safe, our clients’ teams safe, and their customers safe. I’m proud that our EMR stands at 0.72 - it’s a direct reflection of our commitment to giving safety the investment it deserves.”
Mauricio’s team emphasizes leading indicators: daily audits, proactive conversations, and jobsite observations that uncover issues before they become problems. From heat illness awareness to fall protection to forklift recertifications, we’re raising the bar by bringing training directly to the field—not just requiring paperwork. It’s a smarter investment that protects both people and programs.
“I’m proud that our EMR stands at 0.72 - it’s a direct reflection of our commitment to giving safety the investment it deserves.”
— Hal Hargrave, Apex CEO
Safety by Culture, Not Just Compliance.
Safety isn’t a line item for us—it’s a leadership priority. Your multi-site program or remodel initiative demands a deep commitment to safety for your team and ours.
Apex has everything a multi-site program needs from concept to closeout under one roof. To learn how we can support your next initiative, reach out to our team here →
