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Want a safer crew and a stronger business without slowing the job? We sit down with NFBA safety leaders Todd Meinhold (HD Quality Builders) and David Underwood (FBI Buildings) to unpack how smart builders cut fall risk, train new hires the right way, and engineer hazards out before a single nail is driven. The conversation goes beyond compliance to show how culture, process, and equipment choices translate into retention, predictable schedules, and a brand clients trust.

We start with the realities of a changing workforce and why a clear, simple starting point matters when regulations feel overwhelming. David shares how FBI Buildings puts every new hire through a six-hour safety orientation before they step on site, then sustains the habit with daily tailgate talks and foreman coaching. From ladder footing to rebar caps to speaking up about another trade’s hazard, the goal is a culture where stopping unsafe work is normal—and walking away from a jobsite is on the table when conditions aren’t fixed.

Then we dig into engineering controls that change the physics of risk. Todd explains his permanent ridge anchor system, designed to solve the “first up, last down” problem for installs and future service. David breaks down the Q Lift approach that assembles more at ground level and raises components to cut exposure at height. These aren’t shortcuts; they’re smarter methods that reduce falls—the leading cause of death in construction—while keeping projects moving with fewer surprises and claims.

If you’re building post-frame, NFBA membership is a force multiplier: practical templates, expert guidance, discounts on gear like permanent anchors, and a community that shares what works. Walk away with a punch list you can use tomorrow: open your day with a five‑minute safety huddle, verify ladder and tie‑off points, control foundation and site conditions, audit your gear, and document fixes. Ready to lead from the front? Hit follow, share this with your crew, and drop a comment with the one safety change you’ll implement this week. Subscribe for more conversations that help you build safer, faster, and better.

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