Today, as it has always been, safety is a personal choice. We make that personal choice every day, even as we drive to work, when we choose whether or not to obey speed limits Proper operating procedures, like posted speed limits, are put into place to protect the operator and others that may be around, such as co-workers and bystanders. Operators, supervisors, managers and crews must all step up to help promote a safe working environment when it comes to construction. And when they do, they should be rewarded.
Honor your company’s jobsite safety and employee protection accomplishments by submitting your nomination for the American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF) “Contractor Safety Award” -- an annual competition designed to recognize industry firms that have implemented outstanding employee health and safety programs.
This awards program was developed to promote worker safety and health as core values of the transportation design and construction industry. Successful applicants will demonstrate a low “OSHA Recordable Rate” as measured against benchmark statistics established by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
ARTBA members in the Contractors and Materials & Services Divisions can apply for recognition in one of three categories, based on number of employee hours worked during the previous year: 1,000,001 or more; 500,001-1,000,000, or 500,000 or fewer. First tier qualification is based on a contractor’s OSHA Recordable Rate; the benchmark for the 2012 award is below 4.6.
Once finalists are established through review of first tier applications, they will be notified and invited to make a presentation before a panel from ARTBA’s Safety Committee. Finalists will explain their safety programs based on seven key criteria: management commitment, employee participation, incident investigation, audit procedures, safety planning, management review/implementation, and risk assessment.
Presentations will be made and award winners announced during ARTBA’s 2012 National Convention to be held September 11-14 in Memphis, Tenn. Award finalists will be notified by August 15 to allow time to make travel plans and present their programs before the judges.
Applications are available online under the “scholarships and awards” section of www.artbatdf.org or by contacting ARTBA’s Holly DiGangi at 202-289-4434. Nominations must be received at ARTBA’s headquarters by close of business August 10.
