For a second time, Associated General Contractors (AGC) awarded Independence Excavating its National AGC Safety Excellence Award — First Place in the Federal and Heavy Division for 700,000 to 1 million hours worked. Independence Excavating received this award based upon its exceptional safety performance, well-implemented safety program and an incident rate at least 25 percent below that of its AGC member peers.

Independence Excavating’s Safety Director Tom Steblinski cited the firm’s personalized safety approach as the basis for this award, as well as the absence of reportable injuries on major projects including the Cleveland Convention Center demolition and site package and the Ford Brook Park engine plant demolition.

“In my experience outside the firm, [Independence Excavating’s] safety program is unlike most construction companies where safety personnel are office-based, processing workers’ compensation and paperwork. Our safety specialists and coordinators spend 80 percent of their time in the field developing relationships with the guys doing the work. We’re not the safety police, trying to catch them doing something wrong. We develop trusting relationships with the workers and get their buy-in on safety. Our safety personnel come from field positions; we’ve been in their shoes. The guys understand that we’re here to help them go home safely to their families by abiding by safety regulations, all while helping them do their jobs,” said Steblinski.

The firm also finds its safety commitment creates cost savings for its clients

“Accidents — especially severe accidents — will impact the day of the event and, to some extent, the schedule going forward. We maintain utmost safety measures because we understand that accidents affect morale, the speed of work, and our team’s comfort. Our commitment to safety and preventing accidents delivers cost savings on each project,” said Steblinski.

In fact, Independence Excavating remains one of the few Ohio construction firms of its size that is approved by the state of Ohio to self-insure workers’ compensation. The firm was awarded self-insured status in 2005 because of its strong financial standing and excellent safety record.

“We pass the cost savings gained from not having to pay premiums on to our clients, giving them an even better price on each job.”

With offices in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Chantilly, Va., Independence Excavating is an industry leader in challenging site development, heavy industrial applications, demolition, environmental solutions, concrete construction, aggregate crushing and one of the Midwest’s premier and diversified construction companies. Founded in 1956 by the DiGeronimo family, Independence Excavating has earned a solid reputation for honesty, integrity and outstanding performance.

For more information, visit www.indexc.com.

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