Gaines and Company Wins Dig Smart Award at 10th Annual Event
Miss Utility Awards Committee, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company BG&E and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission WSSC present the Dig Smart Award Honorable Mention to Gaines and Company Safety Director Dominic Pope at the 10th Annual Greater Chesapeake Damage Prevention Training Conference.
Gaines and Company won the 2017-2018 Dig Smart honorable mention award given by the Miss Utility MD/DC Damage Prevention Committee at the 10th Annual Greater Chesapeake Damage Prevention Training Conference on October 26th in Ocean City, MD.
“Gaines and Company has done an exemplary job modeling safe excavation practices that benefit job site workers and the general public,” said Dora Parks, Manager, Client Relations for GCDPTC Sponsorship and Exhibitor Administrator. “The Miss Utility Awards Committee recognized their efforts by awarding Gaines and Company this prestigious award and congratulates them on their success,” she said.
To win the award, companies must qualify by passing a rigorous checklist of requirements including zero at fault damages and zero safety violations while having established proactive working relationships in damage prevention.
According to Parks, Gaines and Company was evaluated alongside other excavation contractors on multiple safety and involvement levels that include safety and damage prevention procedures, execution of Maryland damage prevention laws, employee training, participation in trade organizations, safety meetings and championing the damage prevention message on each and every site development excavation project.
“Gaines and Company works diligently to ensure all workers and the public are safe while excavating,” says Dominic Pope, Gaines and Company Safety Director and Awardee. “To be one of the three choices for the Maryland region is an honor.”
Pope is always planning ahead for underground safety, usually weeks before stepping foot onto a new utility, grading, excavation, erosion control or road work project. Preparation includes early ticket submission which must be cleared internally as well as on the jobsite. Foremen are reminded of underground facility digging requirements at weekly meetings and all employees must attend new hire orientation, part of this training being an 811 Safe Digging video and overview of applicable laws with corresponding toolbox talks and refresher literature given throughout the year.
Gaines and Company participates each year in National 811 Day, SAFE+SOUND week and are members of the National Safety Council, NUCA (National Utility Contractors Association) and AUC (Associated Utility Contractors of Maryland), attending all monthly meetings.
“At Gaines and Company safety is a topmost value and mindset for management, crew and employees,” said David Gaines, Gaines and Company VP. “This award inspires us to continue achieving daily safety excellence.”
Gaines and Company is
SAFE + SOUND
- Everyone at Gaines and Company plays a role in safety at all times.
- Good safety practice is good business practice.
- By providing a safe and healthy workplace, Gaines and Company upholds their moral responsibility to protect all employees and the public.
Since its launch in 2009, the GCDPTC has provided facility operators, locators, excavators, regulators, engineers and other professionals who work near underground facilities with an unrivaled combination of informative training sessions, relevant exhibitors and networking opportunities.
