Brian Clarke of Hoffman Corporation Receives Award for Reducing Workplace Injuries and Insurance Costs

Release Date: November 21, 2003
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CHICAGO—Brian Clarke, CSP, Corporate Safety Director, Hoffman Corporation, was honored at the 23rd IRMI Construction Risk Conference with the Gary E. Bird Horizon Award. Mr. Clarke received the award for his design and implementation of a safety program for an owner controlled insurance program that greatly reduced Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) incident rates and workers compensation costs.

The comprehensive safety program phased in over the course of the project dramatically lowered the OSHA recordable rate from 8.18 to 1.92 and the OSHA lost time incident rate from .45 to 0.00. Additionally, the workers compensation direct claim cost per man hour dropped from $0.185 to $0.015. Several helpful documents used in Mr. Clarke’s safety program are available on the IRMI website: www.IRMI.com/Conferences/Crc The Gary E. Bird Horizon Award is presented annually by IRMI to recognize an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to improving construction risk management through the implementation of innovative, cost effective, and efficient risk management techniques.

The panel of industry experts, selected by IRMI to judge the award submissions, made perceptive comments about the winning submission. “An outstanding program that introduced new methods and techniques that were practical and effective!” was offered by one judge. Another judge remarked that the program “recognizes the interdependency of individuals in a strong safety program. Used correctly in this manner, it will have an immediate impact on behavior in the company.”

The other finalist for the award was George Tinker, Risk Manager, Colorado Department of Transportation, who was nominated for the development and implementation of an innovative controlled insurance program that reduced the friction among the parties involved in the program.

The award was named for Gary E. Bird, a nationally recognized risk management expert who was known for his significant and cutting-edge risk management solutions. The next award will be presented at the 24th Construction Risk Conference taking place in Orlando, November 8-11, 2004. In addition to recognition, the winner receives complimentary registration, travel, and lodging to the next IRMI Construction Risk Conference. To find out more about this award, its qualification requirements, and how to apply, contact Christine Fuge of IRMI at 1-800-827-4242, ext. 346, or visit IRMI’s Web site at www.IRMI.com and go to the “Conference” section of the site.