Mainline Excavator Operator Recognized with Safety Excellence Achievement Award

Miguel Correas (middle) awarded Safety Excellence Achievement Award by Safety Director Dominic Pope (left) and Foreman Alvero Leon (right) for using his extensive experience to ensure the safety of his crew.

Gaines and Company has been performing expert site development services – including pre-construction work, full service site development, underground utilities, grading and excavating, storm water management, road work, and federal installations – for developers, municipalities, homebuilders, commercial builders, military installations, nuclear power plants, and government agencies for almost 70 years. However, a company alone cannot earn such a positive reputation without a steadfast commitment to quality, reliability, and safety from its employees. Gaines and Company recognizes employees for their safe work practices with its quarterly Safety Excellence Achievement Award.

Employees are nominated for the Safety Excellence Achievement Award by their foreman or supervisor. Nominees are then selected by the safety team, which is led by Safety Director Dominic Pope.

“We look closely as each nominee’s safety performance and contribution to the Gaines and Company safety culture, as well as their continuous dedication to personal and team safety,” said Dominic. “It is an extreme honor to be recognized with this award.”

Among Maryland’s third quarter Safety Excellence Achievement Award winners is Miguel Correas. Miguel has been with Gaines and Company for 28 years. He started as a utility laborer, and as worked his way to a mainline excavator operator. In this role, he runs the excavator to dig out the dirt for utility projects. During his time with Gaines and Company, Miguel has earned his OSHA 10, Confined Space, and Excavation Safety certifications.

Dominic said, “I call Miguel the ‘Godfather’ because he is always watching out for everyone. He has an immense amount of experience and does not let it go to waste. He is always on top of his work and the work of his entire crew.”

His foreman, Alvero Leon, added, “I worked a night job with Miguel. Night work is much different than day projects. You have a lot more to watch out for with vehicles, lights, and other unseen hazards. Miguel is not afraid to speak up to keep his crew safe.”

Miguel was awarded a Safety Excellence Achievement Award certificate, exclusive award recipient hat, and $150 in safety bucks to use on gear on the company’s online safety store. He is also in the running for the 2022 Safety Excellence Achievement Award, which will be awarded at the end of the year.

Alvero added, “Miguel always goes above and beyond. I know I can always count on him and trust that he is making sure everyone returns home safely each day.”

Miguel credits his crew, pictured here, for achieving this award, since it takes the entire crew working together to achieve success.