CalCIMA Announces 2024 Excellence in Safety Awards

• By: admin
• On: 10/30/2024 13:53:25
• In: CalCIMA News

Graniterock retiree and CalCIMA safety consultant Michael Herges presented the awards. Joining Herges on stage to present the awards were Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) representatives Brian Thompson and Troy Van Wey.

Safety Award winners are chosen based on essays detailing safety initiatives and practices occurring at each plant, and a panel of judges from CalCIMA's Safety and Health Committee review and choose the winners.

The Excellence in Safety Awards honor different categories of mines and plants, such as aggregate, industrial minerals, asphalt, and concrete, as well as special recognition and individual safety leadership awards.

2024 Excellence in Safety Award Winners

Large Aggregate Mine: Irwindale Sand and Gravel Plant - United Rock Products

Left to right: Troy Van Wey, Mark Pachura, Chad Ouellett, Brian Thompson

Photo by Kerry Hoover, Construction Marketing Services

United Rock Products' Irwindale Sand and Gravel Plant earned this award through continually improving its safety practices, such as its early implementation of MSHA's Power Haulage and Respirator Protection Programs, the addition of STCKY (Stuff That Can Kill You) notifications to help workers identify hazards and make informed decisions. 

“Their journey to continue achieving their goal of zero injuries has been supported by the Irwindale's crew living by the corporate core values of caring, sharing and daring,” Herges said.

Small Aggregate Mine: Pine Creek Chico Quarry - 7/11 Materials

Left to right: Troy Van Wey, Garrett Goracy, Josh Gay, Brian Thompson

Photo by Kerry Hoover, Construction Marketing Services

Herges described 7/11 Materials' Pine Creek Chico Quarry as the “Little Engine That Could.” Led by three people, this team has made many safety improvements, including cross-training staff in all duties and tasks, as well as using old conveyor belts to capture leaks. Other operations within the company are adopting Pine Creek Chico Quarry's methods to use at their own sites.

Industrial Minerals: Blue Mountain Minerals

Left to right: Troy Van Wey, John Salkowski, Brian Thompson

Photo by Kerry Hoover, Construction Marketing Services

Blue Mountain Minerals has implemented numerous new safety procedures and is always looking for new opportunities to improve safety. As a collaborative effort between the safety coordinator, safety committee, and employees, the company has implemented new safety programs that have drastically improved their safety record.

Concrete Plant: National Ready Mixed Concrete Company - Ontario

Left to right: Troy Van Wey, Cameron Kane, Pat Catlin, Danny Susdorf, Brian Thompson

Photo by Kerry Hoover, Construction Marketing Services

National Ready Mixed Concrete Company provided safety training to over 600 Southern California firefighters. After a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinder explosion occurred during a commercial vehicle fire in February, the National team reached out to the LA County Fire Department to conduct training for on-road and CNG fueling stations. With six days of training and 15 LA County Fire Stations, over 100 firefighters were trained. National collaborated with Cummins and other industry partners to put on a CNG First Responder Training Seminar, where over 500 Southern California firefighters attended. National is still receiving requests for training from the LAFD, and is continuing the training as needed.

Special Recognition - Large Aggregate: Solari Aggregate Plant - Granite Construction

Left to right: Troy Van Wey, Arturo Gudino, Summer Jett, Brian Thompson

Photo by Kerry Hoover, Construction Marketing Services

Granite Construction's Solari Aggregate Plant earned the special recognition award due to its innovation in automation. Solari is able to operate for three consecutive days without an onsite operator and can be troubleshooted remotely, which reduces the risk of injury significantly.

Special Recognition - Asphalt Plant: Sun Valley Hot Mix Asphalt Plant - Vulcan Materials Company

Left to right: Paul Sibole, Michael Herges

Photo by Kerry Hoover, Construction Marketing Services

Vulcan Materials Company's Sun Valley Hot Mix Asphalt Plant earned the special recognition award due to its work in constructing a nine silo, double barrel hot mix asphalt plant, while simultaneously operating its 50+ year old batch plant. Throughout the year-long construction, Vulcan prioritized its employees' safety and paused the project whenever there were weather conditions, and the project was successfully completed with no injuries, first aid and incidents.

Outstanding Safety Leadership Award: Daniel Avalos, Vulcan Materials Company

Left to right: Troy Van Wey, Daniel Avalos, Brian Thompson

Photo by Kerry Hoover, Construction Marketing Services

Vulcan Materials Company's Daniel Avalos earned the Outstanding Safety Leadership Award. Avalos learned that one of his colleagues had died doing maintenance and felt the loss deeply. 

“Danny came up with an idea and prototype that same day. He envisioned pipes that could fit inside the machine behind the movable jaw with extra safeguards if someone had worked behind the movable jaw with the flywheel in a position where stored energy could be released,” Herges explained. 

Congratulations to CalCIMA's 2024 Excellence in Safety Award winners!

CalCIMA member companies produce the essential materials and minerals that build California. Our operations are essential to California's present and future. If it's built, we're in it.