As summer temperatures spike across West Michigan, Kent crews are doubling down on a familiar priority: safety.
FOX 17 recently stopped by our jobsite at West Ottawa Public Schools in Holland, MI, where we’re building a new natatorium and community fitness center alongside general contractor Triangle Associates. With several 90-degree days already in the books, the station featured our proactive approach to keeping crews cool, safe, and productive in the heat.
"Heat-related illness is 100% preventable," said Kent Companies Vice President Chris Fennema in the interview. "We actively train our team on what symptoms to watch for, and we give them the resources to stay safe."
Those resources include pop-up shade tents, on-site coolers, hydration reminders, and daily conversations about working smart in the heat. Kent’s safety team monitors conditions in real time, adjusting operations when necessary and encouraging field leaders to check in frequently with crews. It's a strategy we’ve refined in regions like Texas and the Southeast, where high heat and humidity are the norm, and it’s paying off across all our markets.
We’re proud to partner with Triangle on a project that not only shapes the future of the community but also models what it means to build with safety and care. Watch the full FOX 17 feature here.
