Safety is the foundation of every successful construction project. It protects people, strengthens companies, and helps ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.
Each year, ABC Western Michigan recognizes member companies that go beyond treating safety as just a policy—it’s a core value built into everything they do. The Safety Award of Excellence honors organizations that show a strong commitment to protecting their employees, proactively managing risk, and continually raising the bar for safety across the construction industry.
We’re proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Safety Award of Excellence in three categories:
- Trade Contractor
- Electrical Trade Contractor
- General Contractor / Construction Manager
These nine finalists stand out for their innovative safety programs, strong leadership, employee engagement, and company-wide dedication to creating safer jobsites. While each organization approaches safety in its own way, they all share a common belief: protecting people is the most important measure of success.
Trade Contractor Finalists
Bouma Corporation has built a safety culture centered on proactive planning, continuous improvement, and innovative problem-solving. The team consistently looks for ways to eliminate hazards before work begins, whether through detailed jobsite planning, regular risk assessments, or engineered safety solutions. On a recent project, Bouma redesigned its installation process by using a roof-mounted mechanical hoist to safely position 250-pound steel studs, eliminating ergonomic risks associated with manual lifting. The company also strengthened its safety program by introducing job-specific stretching routines based on injury trends, expanding Safety Moments into operational meetings, and implementing engineered controls, such as mobile guardrails and ground-supported pump jack scaffolding, to reduce fall risks. Together, these efforts reflect Bouma’s commitment to protecting its people through thoughtful planning, innovation, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Ritsema Associates takes a proactive approach to safety by identifying and addressing risks long before work begins. Safety planning starts during the estimating process, with collaboration between project managers and the safety team to anticipate challenges and develop solutions before crews arrive on-site. That preparation was evident on a recent project when changing site conditions required a new fall protection system for work on a hollow-core concrete roof. The team quickly secured the necessary equipment, trained employees to use it, and adjusted the work plan to prioritize worker safety over production speed. This commitment to continuous improvement also led to the development of a comprehensive subcontractor safety orientation program, complete with hands-on training and bilingual resources to ensure consistent expectations across every jobsite. Combined with strong leadership support and close coordination with project partners, Ritsema Associates continues to foster a safety culture built on preparation, communication, and shared accountability.
Thermal-Tec demonstrates its commitment to safety by continually investing in practical solutions that protect employees in the field. When crews encountered unstable roof conditions on a recent project, the team constructed a temporary walkway and required 100% tie-off to eliminate fall hazards and complete the work safely. Thermal-Tec also uses daily safety audits, employee-driven hazard assessments, and ongoing training to identify risks before incidents occur. Recent improvements—including new equipment to reduce repetitive lifting, adjustable Little Giant ladders for safer access, drone technology for inspections, and equipping every crew with an AED—reflect the company’s proactive approach to safety and its commitment to giving employees the tools, training, and resources they need to return home safely every day.
Electrical Trade Contractor Finalists
Buist is committed to creating safer job sites by engineering hazards out of the work whenever possible. Over the past year, the company introduced new temporary power junction boxes that allow crews to avoid working near energized electrical panels, reinforcing its commitment to eliminating energized work whenever possible. Buist also continues to invest in equipment that reduces risk, including expanding its fleet of scissor lifts and micro lifts to minimize ladder use and implementing daily team huddles that encourage every employee to identify hazards and take ownership of the day’s safety plan. Combined with strong leadership involvement, employee-driven reporting programs, and collaboration with other contractors to establish consistent jobsite safety practices, Buist continues to raise the standard for electrical safety through innovation, communication, and proactive risk management.
CS Erickson has built a safety culture that encourages employees to pause, reassess, and choose the safest path forward whenever conditions change. Through proactive job hazard analyses, regular field observations, and open communication, the company identifies and addresses risks before work begins. On a recent project, the team revised its installation plan by replacing ladder work with an aerial lift and reinforcing a 100% tie-off policy, significantly reducing fall exposure while improving efficiency. CS Erickson also strengthened its near-miss reporting process to capture lessons learned across projects, ensuring valuable insights from the field drive continuous improvement. This commitment is reflected in every level of the organization, where leadership, training, and collaboration empower employees to make safety their top priority.
Town & Country Group has built a safety culture that empowers every employee to be a safety leader, with a focus on protecting what matters most—their “WHY.” Through daily pre-task assessments, open communication, and recognition of proactive safety behaviors, the company encourages employees to identify and address hazards before incidents occur. That commitment extends beyond its own workforce, as demonstrated when a Town & Country employee reported a dangerous work practice by another contractor, helping prevent a potentially catastrophic incident. The company has also strengthened its safety program by creating a hands-on training lab where new hires gain practical experience in safe electrical work from day one. A combination of strong leadership involvement, ongoing education, and a culture that values accountability and continuous learning, Town & Country Group continues to make safety the foundation of everything it does.
General Contractor Finalists
Dan Vos Construction Company is committed to creating safer jobsites by eliminating uncertainty and empowering employees to make the right decisions before work begins. Through detailed pre-planning, ongoing coordination with trade partners, and a culture that supports stop-work authority, the company proactively identifies and addresses high-risk situations. This commitment was demonstrated when leadership halted crane operations until a fully certified operator was on site, ensuring compliance with manufacturer requirements and preventing unnecessary risk. Dan Vos has also strengthened its safety program by adopting a 100% fall protection policy for work at six feet or higher, removing ambiguity around regulatory exceptions and creating a clear, consistent standard for every project. Through visible leadership, innovative training tools, and close collaboration with project partners, the company continues to set a high standard for protecting workers across West Michigan.
Erhardt Construction is committed to anticipating risks before work begins and developing innovative solutions that protect everyone on the jobsite. Through proactive planning, its “5 & 25” situational awareness process, and close collaboration with trade partners, the company continually identifies and addresses potential hazards before they become incidents. That approach was demonstrated on a project requiring overhead work inside an empty swimming pool, where Erhardt partnered with equipment specialists to develop a custom access solution that safely eliminated fall hazards. The company has also strengthened its safety culture by implementing GPS telematics to improve fleet safety and launching a company-wide safety observation and near-miss reporting system that empowers every employee to identify hazards and drive continuous improvement. Together, these efforts reflect Erhardt Construction’s commitment to innovation, accountability, and protecting people at every stage of a project.
Pioneer Construction is committed to staying ahead of safety challenges through proactive planning, innovative technology, and continuous investment in its people and equipment. From using virtual jobsite walkthroughs and regular safety inspections to empowering employees to identify hazards, the company works to prevent incidents before they occur. That commitment was demonstrated on a recent project when Pioneer delayed structural steel erection until unstable ground conditions were corrected, ensuring cranes and equipment could operate safely. The company has also strengthened its safety program by upgrading personal protective equipment, enhancing fall protection systems, and leveraging technology to improve both jobsite and fleet safety. These efforts reflect Pioneer Construction’s commitment to creating safer jobsites through innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
