Previous Winners
From left are Rusty Buller, Gordon
Cazella, Andrew Estrada, Donna Bird, IRMI President Jack Gibson,
and Michael Feigin, Marsh Construction Global Practice Leader.
The Senior Safety Team of Comfort Systems USA, Andrew D. Estrada,
Rusty Buller, and Gordon Cazella, received the 2008 Gary E. Bird
Horizon Award at the 28th IRMI Construction Risk Conference. Read
the press
release and a summary
white paper of their program, "Lessons in Leadership—Creating
an Accident-Free Environment by Developing Leadership Skills for
Front Line Supervisors.
From left are IRMI President Jack Gibson,
Mr. Hutchison with the award, Ms. Gandarilla, Donna Bird, and Michael
Feigin, Marsh Construction Global Practice Leader.
CF Jordan Risk/Safety Management Department
Receives Gary E. Bird Horizon Award for Innovative Loss Control
Program
The Risk/Safety Management Department of CF Jordan LP was honored
at the 27th IRMI Construction Risk Conference with the Gary E. Bird
Horizon Award. Rob Hutchison, CF Jordan's Chief Financial Officer,
and Grace Gandarilla, CF Jordan Safety/Risk Manager, accepted the
award on behalf of the Department. The award was bestowed on the
group for implementing a fully integrated risk/safety management
process that improved the company's overall performance in the following
areas: safety, quality assurance, and wellness. The impact of the
process has produced an estimated direct cost savings for workers
compensation over the period of 2002-2006 of more than $2.5 million.
Additionally, workers compensation claims severity for the organization
is down 85 percent from 2004.
The Gary E. Bird Horizon Award is presented annually by IRMI
to recognize a demonstrated 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 insightful comments about the winning submission.
"The concept of weaving workers compensation, quality assurance
and wellness together is creative and, I think, appropriate!" offered
one judge. Another judge remarked that "Behavior based programs
are becoming best practice. The difficulty has been the actual measurement
and feedback loop to push performance. They seem to have figured
this out." A third judge commented, "This approach deals with three
current issues plaguing the (construction) industry; health of the
aging workforce, degradation in quality, and maintaining a safe
work environment with the growing workforce."
The other finalists for the award were Charles A. Bacon, III,
President/CEO and Safety Leader, Limbach Facility Services LLC;
Andy Estrada, Vice President Risk Management and Safety, Comfort
Systems USA, Inc. (on behalf of the Comfort Systems USA, Inc., Senior
Safety Team); and Gene Patrick, Construction Safety Manager, Oregon
Health & Science University.
Read about
the CF Jordan loss control program.
Mr. Ruben with the award and Donna
Bird, IRMI President Jack Gibson (right), and Michael Feigin, Marsh
Construction Global Practice Leader (left).
Restructured Safety Program Brings Alan
J. Ruben of DRI Companies Results, Award
Faced with the need to change the way it operated in the workplace
as well as modify the culture permeating the roofing business, the
DRI Companies completely restructured their loss prevention and
control techniques and processes. A significantly reduced workers
compensation experience modifier provided a substantial reduction
in workers compensation premiums over a 5-year period in spite of
a tremendously increased payroll. The marketing clout from the lower
modifier contributed to substantial revenue growth. But higher revenues
and profits were not the only rewards.
These efforts are also now lauded throughout the construction
risk industry, with the companies' receipt of the Gary E. Bird Horizon
Award. Alan J. Ruben, Chief Financial Officer of DRI Companies,
was presented with the award at the 26th IRMI Construction Risk
Conference in San Diego. He was recognized for implementing numerous
safety initiatives, policy changes, and the development of a patented
tool to make the workplace safer.
The Gary E. Bird Horizon Award is presented annually by IRMI
to recognize a demonstrated commitment to improving construction
risk management through the implementation of innovative, cost-effective,
and efficient risk management techniques.
The
most effective and innovative feature of the winning submission
is the invention and implementation of the WhirlieBirdTM
fall arrest system (see photo at left and below right), in direct
response to the companies' commitment to eliminate all chances of
falls occurring. Unlike the rope grab system more commonly used
in the roofing industry, the WhirlieBirdTM does not present
its own set of risks from injury to the person wearing it and others
nearby.
The
other tool that contributed to the companies' success is the tri-cable
system, which they developed to prevent falls on flat roofing projects.
Company officials note that these devices do increase costs,
but the long-term benefit far outweighs the initial expense. Also,
customers are beginning to demand use of the WhirlieBirdTM
, adding to its marketing potential.
These tools are one facet of the companies' six-point plan. Other
concepts, which are readily transferable to other companies and
industries, include the following.
Learning/Training. It is imperative for all employees to understand
the actual safety precautions to be implemented as well as the reasons
for implementing them. Policies and procedures will constantly evolve
as enhancements and refinements are discovered.
Rewards/Positive Reinforcement. All personnel involved in safety
and claims management are eligible for monetary reward programs.
Punitive/Enforcement. Punitive action, up to and including termination,
are what the companies call the "stick" portion of the "carrot and
the stick" approach, with the expectation that all employees share
the companies' values in this area. Still, company officials say
the focus is on building strength in hiring and training.
Cost Control. Although the goal is zero claims, there is also
as much emphasis on cost containment when an injury does occur as
there is on preventing an incident.
Risk Sharing. Recognizing the state of the California workers
compensation market, the companies' management was willing to take
on a substantial portion of the risk.
The panel of industry experts selected by IRMI to judge the award
submissions made perceptive comments about the winning submission.
"This program is well rounded but not complicated, and any contractor
could implement this accountability-based program," offered one
judge. Another judge remarked that "to drive down claim costs the
way this organization did is truly remarkable. A reduction in workers
compensation claims from $1.4 million in Fiscal 2000 to $258K in
Fiscal 2006 is amazing!" "Realizing that safety practices in their
industry were not the best, they thought outside the box and created
a new fall arrest device to help them achieve a safer work environment,"
commented a third judge.
The other finalists for the award were Rick Callor, Corporate
Safety Training Director, Washington Group International (on behalf
of the Washington Group International Safety Training Team); Jeff
Hanesworth, Corporate Risk Manager, KS Industries, LP (on behalf
of the KS Industries LP Team); Rick Maursetter, Risk Manager, Duininick
Companies (on behalf of the Minnesota Highway Equipment Contractor
Training Group); and Marsha K. Rinehart, Executive Vice President,
Kokosing Construction Company, Inc.
Members of the Zachry risk management
team
Zachry Construction Corporation Risk Management Team Honored
for Construction-Driven Project Planning Process
The risk management team of Zachry Construction Corporation was
honored at the 25th IRMI Construction Risk Conference with the Gary
E. Bird Horizon Award. The award was accepted November 9, 2005 in
Las Vegas by team members Warren Davis, Susan LaBrie, Phil Pascale,
and Susan Staff on behalf of Zachry Construction Corporation for
the development and implementation of a construction-driven project
planning process that optimizes project execution over the course
of a construction project. Use of this process has consistently
and significantly improved Zachry's bottom line.
The panel of industry experts, selected by IRMI to judge the
award submissions, made insightful comments about the winning submission.
"This is a complex and integrated risk management process that effectively
has reduced the cost of risk for the company," offered one judge.
Another judge remarked that this is a "well- integrated process
involving all aspects of the project life cycle. They are attacking
the entire process, not just one aspect of the problem. The plan
is very well structured to have a short and long impact on cost
and project efficiency."
The other finalists for the award were Mike Nicholson and Sandy
Monday of Washington Group International, who designed and implemented
innovative safety programs that have had a positive impact on Washington
Group International's loss experience and profitability.
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Leslie Williams, Sr., left, and Don
Greenwell
The Mo-Kan Construction Industry Substance Abuse Fund Receives
Award for Groundbreaking Workplace Drug Testing Program
The Mo-Kan Construction Industry Substance Abuse Fund was honored
in 2004 at the 24th IRMI Construction Risk Conference with the Gary
E. Bird Horizon Award. The award was accepted on behalf of the nonprofit
Fund by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Don Greenwell, and
Secretary-Treasurer, Les Williams. The Fund received the award for
its development and oversight of a Construction Industry Substance
Abuse Program (CISAP), a comprehensive construction-industry drug
and alcohol testing program that includes, in part, random testing.
The objective of CISAP is to improve worksite safety by keeping
drugs from playing a role in on-the-job accidents, and it is working.
Annual industry savings from the program are estimated to be in
excess of 300 percent of the annual cost of the CISAP.
The panel of industry experts selected by IRMI to judge the award
submissions was very complimentary of the winning program. "This
program will save money and lives" was offered by one judge. Another
judge remarked, "If this program can influence the industry, it
will be a milestone in safety."
The other finalists for the awards were Rick Callor, Environmental,
Safety, and Health Manager, Washington Group International Inc.,
who was nominated for developing and implementing an innovative
safety training program that greatly improved his employer's safety
record while reducing insurance costs; and R.A. "Dick" Davis, Project
Manager, Knight Jacobs Joint Venture, who was nominated for his
design and implementation of a creative safety plan that engaged
all the participants involved in a complex, long-term construction
project.
Read more
about the Mo-Kan Construction Industry Substance Abuse Fund.
View the award winners' slide presentation with more details on
the program.
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Brian Clarke of Hoffman Corporation,
right, and Jack Gibson, IRMI president
Brian Clarke of Hoffman Corporation Receives Award for Reducing
Workplace Injuries and Insurance Costs
Brian Clarke, CSP, Corporate Safety Director, Hoffman Corporation,
was honored in 2003 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.
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 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.
Donna Bird, wife of the late Gary E.
Bird, congratulates Mr. Clarke
Read about Hoffman
Corporation's safety program for an OCIP
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Terry Young (right) of Southern
Industrial Constructors, and Jack Gibson, IRMI president
Terry Young of Southern Industrial Constructors Receives Award
for Reducing Workplace Injuries
Terry Young, ARM, Vice President—Safety, Risk Management, & Human
Resources, Southern Industrial Constructors, was honored in 2002
at the 22nd IRMI Construction Risk Conference with the Gary E. Bird
Horizon Award. Mr. Young received the award for designing and implementing
a very effective safety program that reduced workplace injuries
and produced significant savings for his employer. The comprehensive
program was designed for participation and accountability by all
levels within the organization. Through the use of this program,
the company's workers compensation experience modifier was reduced
from 1.69 in 1992 to .61 in 2000.
The panel of industry experts, selected by IRMI to judge the
award submissions, made several insightful comments about the winning
program. "An excellent story of success that should be shared with
the industry!" was offered by one judge. Another judge observed
that the program "addresses one of the most significant needs in
the industry" and that "every organization should adopt the best
practices from this model to fit their needs."
The other two finalists for the award were Valerie S. Camp, AIC,
Corporate Counsel Claims and Litigation, BE&K, Inc., who was nominated
for developing a claims management process that required a regimented
list of post-loss protocols, and Lauren M. Gregory, ARM, Director,
Risk and Insurance Management, New York Metropolitan Transportation
Authority, who was nominated for her OCIP design that introduced
a high level of owner control in determining the insurance costs.
Read about Southern
Industrial Constructors' Safety program
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Prior Award Winners