Case Studies
J.S. Held Acquires Shechter & Everett to Expand Forensic Accounting Capabilities for Family Law Disputes in Florida
Read MoreAs data center construction activity continues to accelerate across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, owners, operators, and contractors are increasingly subject to scrutiny of their health and safety performance by regulators, investors, and shareholders. These programs are frequently delivered at pace, often in remote or emerging locations where contractor maturity, workforce familiarity, and access to established supply chains can vary significantly.
As build programs progress, these conditions can elevate the risk of serious incidents, particularly during high-risk construction activities such as excavation, temporary works, and energization. On one such project, a technology client identified the need for enhanced on-site health and safety leadership following a series of high-potential near-miss events involving groundwork and mobile equipment operations at a remote construction site.
The client sought experienced, independent support to provide visible health and safety (H&S) leadership on site, to oversee and challenge delivery by the appointed general contractor and their supply chain, and to strengthen assurance during a critical phase of construction.
J.S. Held deployed an experienced construction health and safety specialist to provide in-field supervision, leadership, and assurance over a six-month period. The specialist attended the site five days per week and worked closely with the client, the principal contractor, and the wider supply chain to reinforce safe systems of work, strengthen leadership behaviors, and provide independent monitoring of high-risk activities. Supported by the wider J.S. Held team, they helped the site with in-depth knowledge and guidance on technical challenges related to H&S, industrial hygiene (IH), building, and fire safety.
A structured program of weekly activities was established to maximize impact on site, supported by a formal feedback and reporting channel with the client’s regional environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) leadership. This enabled learning, improvement initiatives, and effective practices developed on the project to be shared across the client’s wider data center construction portfolio. Key elements of our support included:
Embedded Site Engagement and Oversight
The J.S. Held specialist was embedded within the site’s operational management and governance routines, participating in planning meetings, coordination sessions, and daily engagement with site leadership, supervisors, and contractor H&S teams. This ensured alignment between program objectives, safety priorities, and day-to-day delivery decisions.
In-Field Presence
A significant proportion of time on site was dedicated to field-based activities, including risk
assessments, walkarounds, inspections, permit issuance, and observation of high-risk works. The consistent on-site presence enabled early identification of emerging risks, real-time engagement with the workforce, and constructive challenges when standards or controls were not being met.
Safety Leadership and Capability Development
Through day-to-day interaction and targeted coaching, the specialist supported first-, second-, and third-line leaders in strengthening safety leadership behaviors aligned with the client’s expectations. This included support in navigating complex or sensitive safety conversations in the field, enhancing leaders’ confidence and effectiveness when addressing risk.
Technical Advice and Independent Challenge
Where required, the specialist provided technical input on complex health and safety matters, drawing on the wider J.S. Held network of safety and industrial hygiene experts. This ensured that risk assessments, control measures, and mitigation strategies remained appropriate, proportionate, and effective for the work environment and activities.
Monitoring, Assurance, and Reporting
A structured program of inspection, monitoring, and assurance activities was established, focused on high-risk work controls and the client’s life-saving rules. Findings, trends, and actions were documented and tracked, providing the client with clear visibility of performance, emerging issues, and progress over time.
Near-Miss and Incident Support
The J.S. Held specialist supported the contractor’s H&S team in the review of unsafe conditions, unsafe acts, and high-potential near-miss events. This included independent review and challenge, oversight of corrective actions, and follow-up to ensure timely and effective closure.
> Occupational Safety and Risk Consulting Services
We help insurers, attorneys, and organizations across industries identify, assess, and mitigate occupational health, safety, and process safety-related risks. Leveraging decades of safety consulting experience and guided by proven industry practices, our solutions are centered around building safer workplaces, reducing operational hazards, and implementing effective controls.
> Environmental, Health, and Safety
J.S. Held provides environmental, health, and safety consulting and expert services spanning environmental damage and remediation, environmental due diligence, energy transition, toxicology and epidemiology, industrial hygiene, product stewardship and product liability, and human health and safety.
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