WASHINGTON, D.C. - Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) June 24 recognized the nation's safest construction firms in 2008 at the 19th annual Excellence in Construction and National Safety Excellence awards celebration at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The 2008 National Safety Excellence Award winners were selected from ABC member firms achieving Platinum status in ABC's Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) program. Selection criteria for the national safety winners included each member's self-evaluation scores, lost workday case rates, total recordable rates, and interviews conducted by members of ABC National's Environment, Health and Safety Committee.

"ABC salutes these winners as they have demonstrated their dedication to construction workplace safety," said Kirk Pickerel, ABC president and CEO. "Creating safe work environments is a top priority for the association. ABC provides member firms with safety training programs, information and an annual safety training and evaluation process that serves as a benchmark and guide to maintaining an effective construction safety program."

The National Safety Excellence Awards are presented in three major North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code categories: NAICS 236 - Construction of Buildings; NAICS 237 - Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction; and NAICS 238 - Specialty Trade Contractors. The following is a list of ABC's National Safety Excellence winners:

NAICS 236 - General Contractor
Group Contractors, LLC
Baton Rouge, La.

Hendrick Construction, Inc.
Charlotte, N.C.

Kaufman Lynn General Contractors
Boca Raton, Fla.

Kelley Construction, Inc.
Louisville, Ky.

Three Rivers Corporation
Midland, Mich.

TIC Holdings, Inc.
Steamboat Springs, Colo.

VIRTEXCO Corporation
Norfolk, Va.

NAICS 237 - Heavy and Civil Engineering Contractor
Allan A. Myers
Worcester, Pa.

Austin Industrial, Inc.
Houston, Texas

CRA Services
Kalamazoo, Mich.

Craig & Heidt, Inc.
Houston, Texas

Diamond D General Engineering, Inc.
Woodland, Calif.

Triple "S" Industrial Corporation
Lumberton, Texas

NAICS 238 - Specialty Contractor
Canyon Concrete, Inc.
Farmington, Mo.

Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing
Dallas, Texas

Corbins Electric
Phoenix, Ariz.