2024 Safety Excellence Award

Our fire protection group was recognized with a 2024 EMCOR Safety Excellence Award after launching a new, revamped safety program that helped address the hazards and working conditions unique to their trade. Each year, one mechanical company under EMCOR Construction Services is given this award for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to safety.

Over the past year, our fire protection safety team transitioned from an administrative safety approach to a field-based approach that emphasized the specific needs of the work. This process involved not only reviewing policies, but also getting “boots on the ground” by visiting thousands of job sites across the country to conduct trainings and meet with field teams.

We doubled down on training, working to get field and office leaders accredited with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). Nationwide, our team earned 388 BCSP certifications for fire protection in 2024. The fire protection group also established foreman training academies, bringing 230 team members together for a weeklong off-site safety stand down.

In addition, we tapped select members of our network of skilled sprinkler fitters and foremen and shifted them into new safety positions. These “Safety Mavericks” were tasked with supporting field teams, conducting regular site visits, and holding weekly calls to keep safety leadership informed. They received additional training and worked closely with Shambaugh’s career safety professionals to help prepare them for the role.

Finally, the new program also emphasized rapid, actionable, and timely responses to safety issues. This included simplifying the incident reporting process, establishing a 72-hour turnaround on all corrective actions, on-time logging with reporting software, and offering 24/7 safety support to any team member, whether in the field, office, or fabrication shop.

The fire protection group’s new safety program has set them up for long-term success. It has also helped empower our team, creating a culture of shared accountability and commitment to safety excellence.