Coutts Bros. Wins National Safety Award from ABC

RANDOLPH, MAINE (March 31, 2016) – When your business involves energized power lines, safety is paramount. One incident could be a deadly incident. To Brad Stout, GM of Coutts Bros., an electrical construction/maintenance contractor serving longstanding energy utility clients throughout the Northeast, investing in safety has been a renewed focus.

The Randolph, Maine-based contractor initiated a significant company-wide commitment to safety by employing two safety personnel, undergoing a Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) through Associated Builders and Contractors, and investing in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for high voltage asset inspection, among other safety protocols and initiatives. Coutts’ investment in safety has been recognized by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) who earlier in March awarded the Coutts team with a 2015 National Safety Merit Award.

According to Stout, “We are thrilled to be recognized by ABC for our commitment to safety. However, this is much more than just an award. It’s proof that all of the dramatic changes we’ve made over the past several years have moved us closer to leading the charge in our industry for keeping employees safe and healthy. It matters to our employees, to us and to our clients.” Stout explained that the catalyst for the company’s investment in safety was a realization that its safety record was lacking. “Safety wasn’t a primary focus and we were trending toward a serious incident occurring. After years of redirecting our focus to safety, I’m very proud to say that we’re at the forefront, which makes this award particularly meaningful.”

The 2015 National Safety Excellence Award winners were selected from ABC member firms that achieved Diamond, Platinum and Gold status in ABC’s Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP). During the selection process, national safety winners were judged on self-evaluation scores, lost workday case rates, total recordable rates, leading indicator use, process and program innovations and video interviews conducted by members of ABC’s National Environment, Health & Safety Committee.

The National Safety Awards are presented in three major North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code categories: NAICS 236 – Construction of Buildings; NAICS 237 – Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction; and NAICS 238 – Specialty Trade Contractors.

For more information, visit Coutts Bros.