New Atlantic Joins Construction Safety Week 2026
New Atlantic Contracting is proud to participate in Construction Safety Week 2026. Specifically, members of our leadership team came together for a roundtable discussion on what safety actually looks like day-to-day across our job sites. Furthermore, this conversation highlights how mentorship, accountability, open communication, and intergenerational perspectives come together to shape a strong, people-first safety culture at New Atlantic.
Safety Is About People First
At New Atlantic, safety is not simply a set of rules to follow. Instead, it is a commitment to the people on every job site. As Frank Harris shared in the discussion, the mindset has evolved over time from compliance to genuine care. Every person on a New Atlantic job site has a family, and our responsibility is to make sure they go home the same way they came in every day.
In addition, the team discussed the growing recognition of mental health as a critical component of job site safety. Chris Zananiri noted that the construction industry is beginning to integrate mental wellness into safety culture, and the results are already showing in reductions in workplace accidents, injuries, and fatalities. This is a shift our team welcomes and actively supports.
What a Safe Job Site Looks Like in Practice
According to our team, a safe job site is visible from the moment you walk on it. A clean, organized work area, workers wearing PPE without being reminded, and people who are willing to stop work when something does not feel right are all signs of a healthy safety culture.
At New Atlantic, every morning begins with a daily huddle at 8 a.m. During this time, the team reviews daily activities, discusses any safety concerns from the previous day, and ensures that every worker and subcontractor knows where they will be working and what hazards to watch for. Moreover, safety is always the first agenda item in every meeting, whether it is a subcontractor coordination meeting, a pre-construction meeting, or an owner-architect-contractor meeting.
Pre-Planning Is the Foundation
One of the key themes from the roundtable was the importance of pre-planning. Specifically, the team emphasized that hazards must be identified and addressed before they become problems. As Chris noted, job sites are constantly changing. A fall hazard does not exist until the second floor is poured. Consequently, the team must always look ahead, anticipate what the site will look like in the coming days and weeks, and make sure subcontractors are never surprised.
This proactive approach was on full display during the Mecklenburg County Skybridge project, where the team invested significant planning to safely execute a bridge pick over active Norfolk Southern rail lines and the CATS LYNX Blue Line.
Accountability Belongs to Everyone
A strong theme throughout the discussion was shared accountability. At New Atlantic, anyone on a job site, including subcontractors, has the authority and responsibility to stop work if something does not feel right. As Frank emphasized, title does not determine who can raise a safety concern. Open communication is the foundation of how New Atlantic manages safety across all projects.
Mentorship and the Next Generation
New Atlantic is in a period of growth, and with that comes the responsibility of mentoring the next generation of field supervisors. Chris discussed how the company has shifted to a mentorship-focused model over the last three to five years as experienced professionals have transitioned out of the field. Walking the job together, explaining not just what to do but why it matters, and leading by example every day are all central to how New Atlantic builds its safety culture from the ground up.
In addition, New Atlantic supports OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training for team members who want to advance their safety knowledge, and the company pays for that training. As Chris noted, the younger generation is just figuring it out, the same way the experienced generation did years ago, and the best outcomes happen when both generations work together and respect each other.
The New Atlantic Safety Committee
New Atlantic also maintains a formal safety committee that brings together team members across all age groups and position types. The committee rotates its chair regularly to keep perspectives fresh and stays current on evolving safety standards and best practices. As Frank noted, safety is ever evolving, and the committee ensures the company stays ahead of what is coming, not just what is current.