Emy Marroquin’s path to safety leadership started in industrial construction and petrochemical facilities, but what’s driven her all along is simple: people. “I love talking with people. I love focusing on people—making their day better,” she shared. Safety just seemed to fit that.” Today, as a Project EHS Manager with Turner Construction in Dallas, she brings that people-first mindset to data center and critical facility projects. Her goal is clear: to ensure every person on site goes home safe, and maybe even a little better than when they arrived.

Building the Right Environment

Turner’s safety philosophy revolves around Building L.I.F.E., Living Injury Free Every Day. But for Emy, it’s more than a program or a slogan. It’s the foundation of how projects are planned, structured, and executed.

Every project starts with a holistic approach. “How do we get people in? How do we get equipment in? How do we make sure everyone leaves a little better than when they arrived?” she explained. “We’re constantly looking 30, 60, 90 days out. What work is coming up? But also, what wellness initiatives can we bring in? Financial literacy, health classes, even teaching folks how to read a nutrition label.” This broader focus on both work and wellness reflects Turner’s belief that safety is about more than the tasks at hand—it’s about supporting people in every part of their lives.

Leadership That Sets the Tone

For Turner, safety isn’t just a program, it’s part of their identity. “It’s not a core value—it’s who we are,” she said. “Safety is integrated into everything we do.” That integration starts with leadership. Before the first piece of equipment hits the ground, Turner’s teams conduct a project risk analysis. They examine every detail, from scheduling milestones to how people will enter the site, where they’ll park, and what facilities are available, like handwashing stations with hot and cold water. These aren’t just safety measures, they’re part of creating a supportive, efficient environment for everyone on-site.

But leadership’s role goes far beyond planning. Emy emphasized that Turner’s leaders are present and engaged throughout the life of a project. “Our leaders help drive the worker experience,” she said. “They join safety walks, participate in critical JHA reviews, and set expectations every day.” Their involvement reinforces that safety is a shared priority.

At the heart of it all is a shared belief: no project is more important than someone’s life. “We all want to be proud of the product we deliver to our clients,” Emy said. “But at the end of the day, this job is not more important than you going home.”

Building Trust Through Connection

Emy spends a lot of time in the field. She’s not there just to observe; she’s there to connect. “My favorite thing is to give fist bumps,” she said. “That small interaction can turn into a real relationship.” She makes a point to learn names and ask about weekends, kids, and hobbies. “You’d be surprised at what people will share with you when they trust you. It even opens the door for mental health conversations.”

Turner also hosts Five Worker Lunches, informal sit-downs with site teams that help uncover what’s working and what’s not, and create spaces for workers to share about themselves and connect with others. “By the end of a project, you might have 100 people who’ve been through those lunches. That’s 100 advocates in the field.”

A Shared Responsibility

Long-term, Emy wants safety to feel less like a department and more like a shared responsibility across the job site. “How do I make sure the person placing rebar feels just as empowered as the superintendent?” she asked. “If everyone has that same sense of urgency, we’ll be light years ahead.”

Looking ahead, Emy hopes to see more industry-wide standards that reflect these principles. She points to things like tool tethering and controlled access zones around lifts—not just as best practices, but as norms. She also sees technology, like AI and automation, playing a growing role in enhancing safety.

But no matter how technology evolves, Emy believes the core of safety will always be human. It’ll come from moments, small conversations, repeated efforts, and people showing up daily with the same message. “We all have a reason to be here. Let’s treat each other that way.”

Learn more about Turner Construction and their Highwire Platinum Safety Award.