WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LEADER - SPECIAL REPORT
Deborah Hampton is first female
Director of Safety at Current Builders
Robin MacLennan
Florida Construction News staff writer
Deborah Hampton joined Current
Builders in November 2019 as the
Risk and Safety Director, a newly ex-
panded role, overseeing risk man-
agement, occupational health,
safety & environmental programs,
and compliance.
One of the firm’s highest-profile
team members, Deborah is the first
woman to hold this position in the
firm’s 48-year history.
“I am honored to nominate Debo-
rah Hampton for this prestigious
recognition. Thanks to her innova-
tion and dedication, countless job
sites have become a safer environ-
ment for thousands of construction
workers,” said Crystal Binford, the
Business Development and Market-
ing Director.
Since joining Current Builders less
than a year ago, Deborah has al-
ready achieved exceptional contribu-
tions including implementing:
6 – FALL 2020 — Florida Construction News
• a return to work program and new
occupational health clinic criteria
to facilitate medical management
(resulting in lower medical costs
and improved medical care for
workers). • the use of root cause analysis into
investigations (resulting in in-
creased awareness at the craft
level of accidents and promoting
the identification of better correc-
tive measures).
• various Competent Person train-
ings for safety staff (resulting in
the increase of greater occupa-
tional health & safety proficiencies
in the field).
• an ergonomics program and mon-
itoring for craft workers (focused
on reducing back injuries).
• safety incentive programs such as
“Caught in the Act” and “I know
my safety steps” (promoting a
safety cultures via positive rein-
forcement). She also participated in Safe +
Sound promoting worker safety via
“Why I work Safe” (promoting a
safety culture), Construction Safety
Week, and OSHA National Safety
Stand-Down to prevent falls in con-
struction as well as implementing a
Behavior Based Safety program pro-
moting a safety culture via what
gets measured gets done.
“While mitigating risk in one of
the most inherently dangerous in-
dustries requires excellence in in-
numerable proficiencies, Deborah
combines this with a crucial power
skill—compassion,” Binford said.
“Whether she is implementing an
ergonomics program for more sen-
ior workers or offering positive re-
inforcement of the safety culture
for new workers, she is a constant
and vigilant protective force at our
firm.” Hampton joined Current
Builders after 10 years of success
at Odebrecht USA, a construction
and engineering firm based in
Coral Gables.
During her decade as HSE offi-
cer for U.S. operations, she says
she was “committed to performing
every task in the safest manner
possible with minimal risk.” Her
work emphasised controlling high-
risk activities and striving to fully
integrate health and safety into all
aspects of operations through a
process of continuous improve-
ment. Her hard work and accomplish-
ments has been recognized
throughout her career, and her
work has resulted in her employ-
ers receiving numerous awards for
safety excellence including multi-
ple wins of ENR’s Best Safety Proj-
ect, the Bronze Safety Award from
the Royal Society for the Preven-
tion of Accidents, AGC’s Construc-
tion Safety Excellence Award and
many others.
“Deborah is an invaluable asset
to Current Builders and has fos-
tered a heightened sense of con-
nection among our work force,”
said Michael Taylor, President of
Current Builders.
“Through her programs and
guidance, every team member has
developed a deeper understanding
of our dependence upon each
other to create a safer environ-
ment. Deborah’s contributions to
our firm has created a ripple affect
as each employee, subcontractor
and laborer has benefitted from
her expertise and understanding.”
At Current Builders, safety is
not a goal; it is the primary per-
formance standard. We follow a
top-down commitment to safe per-
formance and unsurpassed quality.
No job is so important that it can’t
be performed safely.
Under Deborah’s leadership, the
safety program demands that
every employee, subcontractor
and field construction project
“stand as an example of how to
work expeditiously, without work-
ing in harms way.”
“Toward that end, we have de-
veloped a comprehensive set of
standards to ensure the safety of
our workers and their environ-
ment,” she said.
Deborah has earned a reputa-
tion in the industry as a proven in-
novator and results-oriented
professional and is enthusiastic
about establishing the footprint for
this enhanced new position at Cur-
rent Builders.
“This is an exciting opportunity,”
Hampton said. “Current Builders is
one of the most respected general
contractors in the state, and I am
looking forward to working with
the firm to continue their excellent
track record in this realm.”
As Current Builders continues to
expand in both the east coast and
west coast Florida markets, the
company searched for outstanding
new members to facilitate long-
term growth goals and Hampton’s
superior skill set, tremendous lead-
ership qualities and innate desire
to mentor the next generation
made her a obvious choice.
“Deborah is an invaluable asset
to Current Builders and has fos-
tered a heightened sense of con-
nection among our work force,”
said Binford. “Through her pro-
grams and guidance, every team
member developed a deeper un-
derstanding of our dependence
upon each other to create a safer
environment. Deborah’s contribu-
tions to our firm has created a rip-
ple affect as each employee,
subcontractor and laborer has ben-
efitted from her expertise and un-
derstanding.” This is article is part of a
continuing series recognizing
Women in Construction who
are Industry Leaders. For more
details on nominations contact
Chase@floridaconstructionnews.com Thank You Deborah Hampton,
For Putting Our Team’s Safety Front And Center, 24/7
Congratulations On Your Highly Deserved Recognition
By Florida Construction News... Keep Up The Good Work!
CORPORATE OFFICE:
2251 Blount Road
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
T (954) 977-4211
currentbuilders.com WEST COAST OFFICE:
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Sarasota, FL 34240
T (813) 316-4611
Florida Construction News — FALL 2020 – 7