Not long ago, I had the chance to walk a large active project with Tammy Clark and Ruben Gonzalez while filming safety training videos. John D’Annunzio, president of Paragon, graciously arranged the site visit and, before we stepped into the work area, he walked us through every safety measure in place: access points, scaffolding, guardrails, and what to do if something went wrong.

For me, that walkthrough was invaluable. Since I’m not in these environments every day like wall and ceiling contractors are, it gave me confidence, trust, and a deeper respect for the level of planning required. John also explained that on this jobsite, safety meetings happen three times a day—an impressive commitment that sets the tone for everyone working there.

And yet, even with all that preparation, the unexpected found its way in. A yellow jacket crawled up my jeans and stung me. Naturally, I did the awkward hop-and-dance you’d expect, shouted loud enough for everyone to hear, and even dropped my phone, which caught part of the scene on video. Looking back, it’s funny. In the moment, not so much.

And it left me thinking: what if I’d been allergic? What if I hadn’t been able to navigate the scaffolding or ladders on my own? That sting was a simple reminder that safety is about more than PPE and checklists—it’s also about being ready for the unexpected.

In talking with Trent Cotney, he reminded me that yellow jackets are far from the only surprise. Contractors have dealt with bats in rafters, birds nesting in open spaces, raccoons in storage areas, and even snakes where you least expect them. For wall and ceiling contractors, who often work in elevated, partially enclosed, or unfinished structures, these encounters aren’t just possible—they’re inevitable. Which raises the question: does your safety plan prepare for the unexpected? And from a legal perspective, do your contracts account for disruptions caused by insects or wildlife?

Because at the end of the day, safety for wall and ceiling contractors isn’t just about the obvious hazards of scaffolding and lifts—it’s about creating a culture that anticipates the unplanned, responds quickly, and keeps crews protected no matter what shows up on the job.