All of the Best, Together in Celebration
The leading construction companies from all over the Northwest Indiana region came together at Avalon Manor for the 2018 CAF/NWIBRT Safety Awards Banquet to celebrate one another’s commitment to safety through a year of outstanding projects. Nearly 80 companies were represented among the roughly 600 master builders, company owners, project managers, engineers, architects, and others that were in attendance.
The Awards
The evening began with a cocktail and networking hour, followed by a welcome from Dewey Pearman, Executive Director of the CAF, before dinner was served. After dessert, Pearman continued with CAF’s segment of the banquet in which the top contractors and project highlights of the year were honored. Awards were given for the contractors of the year for various subsectors like industrial, specialty, and commercial work. Additional awards were issued for projects of the year in various categories as well as an award for Excellence in Professional Development.
Following CAF’s award announcements, Mike Lindsey of K2 Industrial Services and Rick Foor of Cargill, Inc. presented NWIBRT’s list of roughly 70 award winners. NWIBRT’s awards are determined based on a company’s performance in safety throughout the prior calendar year as well as additional awards given to individuals that have shown to excel in safety leadership.
NWIBRT awarded certificates to the members of its Safety Committee for their efforts in determining the winners. Four additional awards – Owner Excellence in Leadership Award, Company of the Year Award, Contractor of the Year Award and the Roger Walters Award.
Ten awards were given out to Outstanding Craft Persons Safety Leader winners—given to individuals who exemplify dedication to safety—along with other awards given to companies based on their performance figures. These types of awards come in three tiers: Recognition, Achievement, and Excellence. Companies were ranked based on their accident and injury rates which include recordables like Total Incidence Rates, Days Away From Work, and/or Days of Restricted Work.
It’s all about safety
Every company present places an emphasis on safety adherence. These averages typically trump national averages – their biggest competition for safety performance rates is usually one another. Rather than seeing each other as competitors deriding one another across the banquet hall, what guests experience at the CAF/NWIBRT Banquet is industry comradery.
Companies are open and willing to share best practices with one another, and everyone makes a dedicated effort to try even harder next year. For customers of the construction industry, clients, and owners, this evening goes a long way toward keeping costs low and projects rolling without interruptions. It’s also a major boost to the regional economy in that fewer people are being hurt, projects are completed on time, and budgets are met.
Each year’s event is held the 2nd Thursday in May at Avalon Manor in Merrillville – This next year’s on May 9th, 2019. Be sure to reserve your place now!
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