For the last decade, Sr. Safety Manager Michael Hernandez has made a point of stepping back and listening—really listening—to every single worker on his project sites, regardless of the nature of the discussion. It’s always been the first step to earning their hard-won trust.
“People are what drive me,” Michael says. “Knowing I’ve done my best to create a secure environment where our team can work with confidence keeps me motivated each day. It all comes down to psychological safety; it’s crucial to creating an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up, sharing ideas, and raising concerns without fear of judgment or retaliation.”
Last year, Michael joined the UCI Mesa Court Housing Expansion project in Orange County, where he’s currently the senior safety manager responsible for upholding Webcor’s industry-leading safety standards.
“Team members often say the same thing about Mike: he listens,” says Sr. Superintendent Justin Moore. “And because he listens, people trust him.”
Without trust, psychological safety is impossible to cultivate. Without psychological safety, there’s no chance of building the type of safe and supportive work environment that accelerates productivity and innovation.
“Mike’s commitment to psychological safety is one of his greatest contributions,” Justin says. “He encourages open dialogue, making it clear that speaking up—whether to report a hazard, share a concern, or suggest a better way—is not just allowed, but expected and respected.
“He’s made a lasting impact on every job site he’s touched—not just through technical know-how, but through the way he brings teams together and creates an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up and asking questions. That’s psychological safety in action, and it’s a big part of what makes his crews so strong.”
More importantly, however, psychological safety saves lives. Workers will only seek help from their safety leaders, who are professionally trained and equipped to support those battling mental health challenges before they evolve into a crisis, if they trust them enough to do so.
It’s an enormous responsibility that Michael’s never taken for granted. It’s driven him to establish meaningful relationships with all team members, no matter their role on the project, since the day he stepped foot on his first Webcor job site in 2015. For Michael, there’s simply no other way to do his job.
“Mike truly works for the people,” adds Safety Manager Billy Barajas. “He’s created a family-oriented job site culture here at UCI Mesa where everyone feels valued and connected. He leads by example, proving that trust, transparency, and consideration for people are key to building strong teams.”
Michael’s passion for safety and tireless dedication to the well-being of his team are what inspired Billy to transition to construction safety in the first place: Before joining Webcor in 2018, Billy worked as a third-party medic for several Southern California construction projects. On one of those projects, Michael was leading safety efforts for Webcor Concrete.
Billy was immediately struck by Michael’s unshakable enthusiasm and dedication. “He always went above and beyond—we even did regular safety walks around the site as a preventative measure,” Billy recalls. “Even then, it was clear that he genuinely cared about the crews and set the tone for a strong safety culture. It definitely made a strong impression early on! He’s been a mentor I look up to ever since.”
Beyond Safety Week’s trainings and knowledge-sharing sessions, Michael sees Safety Week as a prime opportunity to draw widespread attention to psychological safety and remind field staff that working safely goes far beyond fall protection and PPE.
“We want everyone on-site to feel like part of the Webcor family,” he says. “We want them to know we care for and appreciate every single person on our projects.”
It’s also a time to recognize safety leaders like Michael who embody integrity, respect, and attentiveness, and their tremendous impact on their team’s well-being.
“Mike is one of those leaders who not only follows safety protocols but shapes the culture that keeps us all protected,” Justin says. “He has an innate ability to bring people together, build trust, and foster mutual respect. Whether he’s onboarding a new crew or checking in with a longtime colleague, his calm, approachable demeanor sets a foundation for transparency and collaboration.
“Because of this, teams under Mike’s safety leadership tend to communicate more effectively, look out for one another, and take pride in creating a safe work environment for everyone. Thanks, Mike, for leading with integrity and heart.”
Looking forward, Michael hopes to see a substantial shift in the industry’s attitude toward safety—one that embraces collective care instead of dismissing safety as a burdensome obligation. “It’s essential that safety be viewed as a way of life,” he says. “It needs to be something we prioritize because we truly care about those around us, rather than because we’re simply told to do it.”
It’s a vision that perfectly aligns with Webcor’s emphasis on Speaking Up for Safety—the foundation of our ever-growing safety culture—and community-oriented teams. He plans to continue growing with Webcor, forging impactful relationships with site workers, advancing Webcor’s safety culture, and building productive teams fueled by trust and psychological safety for many, many years to come.
“Webcor’s been an incredible place to work,” Michael says. “I’m excited to continue contributing to projects that shape California. I truly appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to grow here, both professionally and personally.”
