For Women in Construction Week, March 4-10, 2024, GBCA is recognizing some of the women working on project teams in the Philadelphia region’s construction industry. These women and their companies are changing the Philadelphia region’s physical and cultural landscapes.
This week, GBCA is spotlighting Bonnie Hill, EHS Coordinator of Skanska USA Building Inc.
What advice would you give to a young woman entering the industry?
Don’t be afraid to let your presence be known, but in a positive way. You can make yourself known without being bossy, aggressive, or knowing it all right away. The position of a safety professional is important and necessary and with the right attitude and level of assertiveness, you can gain the respect of many in this male dominated field.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career?
There have been a few proud moments, but getting hired for my very first full-time safety position is my proudest. After my internship, I became a full-on safety professional.
What makes you proud of working in the construction industry?
I believe construction changes lives. I’m proud to have been a part of building hospitals, schools, pharmaceutical facilities, housing developments, daycare facilities, and other projects that are important to day-to-day life. Those projects go on to provide needed services and employment and enhance many people’s quality of life.
What do you think is the most important safety change happening in the construction industry?
Recently I’ve witnessed the industry moving away from what I call “fire and brimstone” safety to behavioral safety. As an industry we are moving beyond the “do it or else mentality.” Instead, the focus has shifted to putting the lives and well-being of workers in the industry first and foremost. Workers know the right thing to do in terms of safety and I’m seeing more of an effort in getting them motivated to do it. If that could be achieved on every construction site, it would prove to be quite impactful.
