NSSGA announces 2017 safety awards
Association reveals this year’s recipients of the US aggregate industry’s top health and safety accolades
THE National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) has announced the recipients of this year’s Safety Excellence and Sterling Safety Awards.
The Safety Excellence programme was created in 1987 to promote safe working conditions and practices and to recognize, on an annual basis, individual operations with exemplary safety records among NSSGA member companies.
The awards recognize those operations that have gone the longest duration without a reportable injury in their size category, based on data provided by the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
This year’s Safety Excellence Gold award recipients are: Southington Sand and Pit, Oldcastle Inc. (small); Abilene Blacklease Quarry, Vulcan Materials Co. (medium); and Dalton Quarry, Vulcan Materials Co. (large).
Michael W. Johnson, NSSGA’s president and chief executive officer, said: ‘The aggregates industry is committed to developing and upholding a culture of safety at quarries across the nation.
‘We are proud to recognize these outstanding operations for working diligently to ensure that all of their staff makes it home at the end of their shifts.’
The Sterling Safety Award was created in 1994 to recognize the companies that have the lowest total accident incidence rate for the previous year (2016) in their category among NSSGA members. Data on which the award is based is provided by MSHA.
This year’s Sterling Safety Gold award recipients are: Iddings Quarry Inc. (small); Wiregrass Construction Co. Inc. (medium); and Specialty Granules Inc. (large).
The Gold Awards for Safety Excellence and Sterling Safety will be presented at NSSGA’s 2017 Annual Convention in Las Vegas, from 3–7 March.
It has also been announced that Randall J. ‘Randy’ Mucha, corporate director of health and safety for Lehigh Hanson, is to receive NSSGA’s James M. Christie Safety & Health Professional of the Year Award, which recognizes an individual for substantial contributions and commitment to safe and healthy practices within his or her company and the industry.
‘Randy has made a substantial impact on safety and health throughout the entire US,’ said Michael W. Johnson. ‘His leadership in safety matters illustrates our entire industry’s commitment to working safely.’
Mr Mucha’s creative and diligent approach to implementing health and safety initiatives resulted in a 20% improvement in the injury rate over four years across Lehigh Hanson’s 550 sites and 9,000 employees. The company also saw a 32% reduction in workers’ compensation claims during this time.
Mr Mucha’s award will be presented as part of NSSGA’s 2017 Annual Convention Opening General Session on 4 March.
