Exercise
The routine varies and is led by a rotating cast of workers. Project engineer Chris Procopio leads today’s session. “It gets the blood flowing in the morning and gets everyone loose for work, especially in cold weather,” Procopio says. “It helps loosen muscles so people aren’t straining them.”
That means less pain for workers like Luis Guerrero, who says the exercises help keep him flexible. “Sometimes when you’re working, your legs and back hurt,” he says. “This helps.”
The sessions increase camaraderie among workers, too, and give supervisors a chance to see how workers are feeling and if they’re focused, says Monte Cook, general superintendent on the project. The company instituted the sessions despite questions about whether it would take away from productivity, he says.
“Everybody thinks it’s odd when it first gets started. Some don’t even want to come out on the job first thing Monday morning,” Cook says.
The savings in health care has made up for the lost work time, says Superintendent Pablo Rodriguez. “One injury can cost more money than 30 minutes standing around. I think it’s really important so we can send everyone home the same way they came in.”
Back at TxDOT offices, public information officer Kelli Reyna says the program helps employees stay healthy and prevent injuries, whether they’re working indoors or out in the field. “This program was created by TxDOT employees who understand the rigor and physical demands employees endure on a daily basis,” she says.
It’s a concept that holds true not only on the Texas 71 job site. “It’s become common practice,” Green says. “A lot of companies are implementing it because it makes sense.”
The public seems to approve, too. Sometimes passing cars honk their approval; a video of the SH 71 crew exercising posted to the FitCityAustin Twitter and Facebook accounts got hundreds of likes.