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    Case Study

    Construction Safety Training Case Study: Developing the Emergency Response Team for NASA’s Mobile Launcher 2

    A real-world construction industry safety training example on a union ironworker site that turned compliance into culture.

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    ML2 Launcher

    When construction began on NASA’s Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) at Kennedy Space Center, the project presented a safety challenge on a scale few worksites ever encounter.

    Standing approximately 380 feet tall and weighing more than 11 million pounds, ML2 is the ground platform that will launch the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B—the rocket that will send future Artemis missions to the Moon.


    Built by Bechtel National, Inc. under NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems, the ML2 structure will support more than 6 million pounds of rocket and propellant during rollout and launch, with multiple umbilicals, cryogenic systems, and elevated work platforms.

    The combination of extreme height, modular construction, and complex tower systems created one clear requirement: a specialized on-site rescue and emergency response capability designed to protect workers operating hundreds of feet above ground.

    That’s where First Choice Safety Solutions came in.

    Understanding the Mission

    Bechtel partnered with First Choice Safety Solutions for on-site construction safety training to design and implement a site-specific Emergency Response Team (ERT) from the ground up.

    The mission was to develop an internal team capable of providing immediate, at-height rescue and medical response within the construction zone, supplementing the on-site NASA Fire Department until their arrival.

    This effort required more than off-the-shelf training—it required a complete emergency response team development program engineered for ML2’s unique environment.

    Designing the Solution: On-Site Construction Safety Training in Action

    First Choice Safety Solutions engineered a complete, site-specific program—covering gear, training, and integration:

    • Custom Gear Cache: We designed and delivered a specialized rescue equipment cache built for suspended-worker, confined-space, and rope-based emergencies. Every component was selected for reliability, interoperability, and compliance with OSHA and NFPA standards.
    • Training Program: Our instructors developed and delivered on-site rope-rescue team training aligned with OSHA compliance, NFPA 1006 rope-rescue competencies, and Bechtel’s site-safety requirements. Training scenarios were modeled after the real-world conditions of the ML2 project.
    • Team Development: Across more than 100 hours of instruction, we trained and certified a team of skilled union tradespeople—carpenters, ironworkers, electricians, laborers, operating engineers, and teamsters—transforming them into a cohesive emergency-response unit prepared for site-specific incidents.

    This integrated approach delivered more than compliance—it created a ready-to-deploy industrial rescue team built for one of the most complex construction projects in the world.

    Outfitting Excellence

    The ERT was equipped with proven hardware from Petzl, CMC Rescue, Sterling Rope, SMC, Harken Safety & Rescue, and STREP System.

    Our custom-designed kits provide the versatility and redundancy needed for industrial safety and rescue operations, including efficient, controlled retrievals from tower modules and scaffolding more than 380 feet in height.

    Results That Matter: Construction Safety Training Leads to Improved Compliance, Reduced Incident Rates & More

    The result: a fully operational, compliant, and capable Emergency Response Team, trained, equipped, and integrated with Bechtel’s site operations.

    Working alongside the NASA Fire Department, this team now provides immediate on-site rescue coverage for all construction activities on ML2, enhancing worker protection and strengthening overall project readiness.

    This successful collaboration demonstrates how First Choice Safety Solutions bridges the gap between compliance and capability—delivering end-to-end rescue training, equipment, and team development for critical infrastructure and aerospace projects.

    The First Choice Difference

    This project exemplifies what we do best: transforming complex safety challenges into field-ready capabilities.

    From understanding client needs to designing integrated systems and delivering specialized training, First Choice Safety Solutions provides complete, compliant, and operational solutions that perform when it matters most.

    Who We Are: Leaders in Construction Safety Training

    First Choice Safety Solutions is a nationally recognized provider of Safety, Rescue, Access, Training, and Gear for clients in the critical infrastructure, industrial, and energy sectors.

    As an official Petzl Technical Partner, we are proud to deliver training and rescue programs to the highest standards of performance, compliance, and realism.

    From developing emergency response teams to providing confined-space standby services and rope-access training, First Choice Safety Solutions integrates practical field experience with industry-leading equipment and instruction—helping organizations nationwide protect their people and strengthen safety readiness.

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    The Takeaway

    For Safety Managers in high-trust, high-skill environments, building a safety team from within can be the most effective path forward. With First Choice’s tailored, field-focused approach, crews gain the skills, confidence, and credibility to lead safety from the inside out — turning compliance into culture.

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