The following information was released by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association:
Four transportation design and construction industry firms were recognized October 7 for their outstanding worker safety programs during the 2009 ARTBA National Convention in Charleston, S.C. Winning firms were the top honorees of the ARTBA-Transportation Development Foundation/CNA Contractor Safety Award.
CNA, a leading national insurance firm, and the ARTBA Foundation, developed the program to promote worker safety and health as core values of the transportation design and construction industry. Award winners demonstrated a low OSHA Recordable Rate as measured against benchmark metrics established by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Seven finalists were selected based on their achievements as evidenced by recordable rates below the industry average. Finalists were invited to make a presentation before a panel of industry professionals who judged programs based on corporate safety culture, operational safety plans and worker training programs.
Awards were presented in three categories, based on the number of employee hours worked during the previous year: 1,000,001 or more; 500,001-1,000,000; and 500,000 or fewer:
500,000 or fewer hours: Idaho Sand and Gravel Company, a division of Staker-Parsons/Oldcastle, Nampa, Idaho;
500,001 to 1,000,000 hours: The Beaver Excavating Company, Canton, Ohio;
More than 1 million hours: a tie between CH2M HILL Construction, Englewood, Colo., and URS Washington Division-Infrastructure Business Group, Boise, Idaho.
Safety and health performance on the job site is an essential element in long-term business success, especially in the transportation construction industry, said Brad Sant, ARTBA vice president for safety and education. This award honors those firms who have demonstrated industry-leading programs for their commitment to employee safety.
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF) was established in 1985 as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity to support research, education and public awareness. The Foundation supports an array of initiatives, including educational scholarships, awards programs, a national exhibition on transportation and a facility dedicated to improving safety in roadway construction zones.
