Progressive Safety LLC

Carmelo Castle made Texas history when he became the first student in the state to complete a high school plumbing program and pass the Texas state plumbing licensing exam. He is just 18 years old and graduated from Woodville High School in May 2025.

Carmelo chose a hands-on path into plumbing through a career and technical education program. With guidance from his instructor John Bunker, he prepared for the same state exam taken by licensed plumbers across Texas. After graduating from high school, Carmelo was hired by Local 68 Plumbing, and he’s now working at a second-year tradesman level.

In an interview with 12News Now, Carmelo said, "It gave me a chance to actually step up in life." His journey shows that learning a skilled trade can lead to real work and real opportunity.

(Photo: Carmelo Castle / Woodville High School)

One common way to think about safety culture is through a maturity model sometimes referred to as the Bradley Curve.

The idea is that organizations tend to move through stages as their safety culture develops.

At the lowest level, the organization is vulnerable. There may be denial, blame, or a reactive approach to accidents.

The next level is rule-based. The organization focuses on compliance and following procedures, but safety is still largely driven by rules rather than internal commitment.

As the organization matures, it becomes more robust. Risk management processes are in place and performance is actively monitored.

At higher levels, the culture becomes enlightened and eventually resilient. Leadership is actively involved, responsibility is shared, and the organization focuses on prevention rather than reaction.

The important point is that culture does not improve just because we want it to. It improves when the habits, behaviors, and leadership practices within the organization improve.

Engagement, commitment, and motivation are key factors in improving safety.

Even the best systems, procedures, and technologies will not work if the people in the organization are not personally engaged in safety practices.

A strong organization creates an environment where individuals feel comfortable speaking up about hazards, unsafe conditions, or risky decisions. That should happen without fear of negative consequences, as long as it is done within the chain of command and professional standards.

The goal is not to remove authority from leaders. The goal is to make sure every individual is actively involved in protecting themselves and the people around them.

When everyone is engaged and empowered, safety becomes part of how the organization operates, not just something the safety office talks about

A reminder. Assessment must be done before use to be minimally compliant.

Key Requirements for the Written Assessment:
Identify Hazards: Look for electrical conductors, ground conditions (uneven, soft), overhead obstructions, site access issues, and other potential dangers.
Task-Specific: Define the job, location, timing, and how the MEWP fits in.
Control Measures: Determine procedures and equipment needed to mitigate risks, including fall protection and rescue.
Documentation: The assessment and work plan must be written down, with details shared with the team.
Review & Update: Reassess and update the plan if job conditions change.
In essence, ANSI A92 mandates a formal, documented process for site safety before work begins, not just a quick mental check, with specific emphasis on written records for accountability and compliance.