ABC Greater Houston Celebrates Safety Award Winners during Membership Breakfast
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Greater Houston honored a record of 79 member companies for receiving the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) Award.
“I believe ABC members are an exceptional group. Their commitment to providing excellent service is only enhanced by their commitment to a safe working environment,” Russell Hamley, President of ABC Greater Houston Chapter, said.
Established in 1989 by the ABC National Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) Committee, the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) program was developed and written by contractors, for contractors.
Awards are based on data submitted via STEP applications, essay questions and video interviews with company Presidents/CEOs/Principals about their corporate safety culture. Award categories are based on a company's total work-hours per calendar year and placement within the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
STEP is the standard for developing world-class safety programs in construction, and is designed to help both large and small contractors evaluate every aspect of their corporate safety and health program and identify opportunities for improvement.
“If the STEP application isn’t easy for you to complete, then you have some deficiencies within your safety program,” said Brandon Mabile, with Performance Contractors. “That’s the beauty of the program, it can only make you better.”
Participation in STEP is a requirement for ABC’s prestigious Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC)
designation. ABC Greater Houston members who apply for STEP are not only working to improve safety conditions for their company; they’re trying to both retain the employees they currently have, and recruit new employees who value safety and see its importance.
“STEP is important because it’s a benchmark to see how you stack up against peers within the industry. Applying to STEP is a win-win for the company,” said Mike Gremillion, of ISC Constructors, LLC, A Diamond STEP Award Recipient. “Even if you don’t pass the application process, you’re given a break-down of which areas you need to improve on, to become more safe – that’s a win-win to me.”
The deadline to submit 2016 National Safety Excellence Award applications is Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. Winners will be announced at the 27th annual Excellence In Construction Awards banquet Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Last year, seven ABC Greater Houston members were honored that evening.
The STEP award is a badge for ABC members to wear proudly. The award is a testament to the customers, employees and supporters of the winning company that safety is an important tenet for them.
