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The Governor John D. Spellman Safety Award

This award recognizes businesses or individuals who have made a positive contribution to safety culture in their workplace.
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2022 Recipients

The Evergreen Safety Council Board of Directors has selected one individual and three companies as recipients of the 2022 Spellman Safety Award.

Jamie France

Logistics Safety + Quality Engineer

GE Renewable Energy

Evergreen Safety Council recognizes GE Renewable Energy’s Jamie France for paving the way to new standards in the wind transportation industry through the development of WITPAC (Wind Industry Transportation Professional Advanced Certification). 

Jamie France spearheaded a joint effort involving in-depth risk assessment, development of best practices, and a new training curriculum for operators. This new training program is becoming an industry requirement for truck drivers, Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators (P/EVOs) and steerpersons. To date, thousands of operators have been trained, and best practices have been implemented by trucking companies and their operators.

We would also like to recognize

We also would like to recognize GE Renewable Energy, Siemens Gamesa, and Vestas for their contributions to the development of WITPAC. 

Collectively these recipients, who represent the major manufacturers in the wind energy industry, have worked together to make the transportation of their components safer for workers and the general public. The fact that these three companies are competitors did not stop them from coming together to make major improvements to industry safety.

With regard to this extraordinary effort, Stan McNaughton, Vice Chairman of Evergreen Safety Council’s Board of Directors, said, “to move mature industries to take a big leap like this is rare, it seldom happens. This award fits you perfectly, and I’m sure if the Governor was here he would say that.”

The Evergreen Safety Council Board of Directors congratulates GE Renewable Energy, Siemens Gamesa, and Vestas for their initiative, and applauds Jamie France in particular for taking a lead role.

Previous Recipients:

2020 Recipient:

Patricia (Patty) Auvil

Evergreen Safety Council is proud to announce Patricia (Patty) Auvil has been awarded the Governor John D. Spellman Safety Award for 2020. 

Auvil piloted her first Oversize Load in 1990, for her own logging business. Once she realized piloting could be lucrative work that offered the side benefit of getting her out from behind a desk and into the world, she began piloting for others. In the intervening 30 years, she has become a leader in the field, serving on industry boards and committees, and acting as a sought-after authority on topics of legislation and industry best practices. She also operates her own business, Olympic Pilots and Dispatch Service. Along the way she’s had the opportunity to haul not just lumber but missiles, fighter jets, and satellites from Points A to B throughout the U.S. and Canada, collecting stories along the way.

Auvil’s experience and expertise was called upon when updates were made to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), resulting in changes to the requirements for the positioning of the pilot vehicle’s high pole, and commercial insurance requirements for drivers. In addition to her work in the field, Auvil is a member of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) oversight committee, SC&RA Pilot Car Task Force, North American Pilot Vehicle Safety Alliance (NAPVSA), the California Pilot Car Association, and the National Pilot Car Association. She has served as president of the Northwest Pilot Car Association since 2015. Congratulations, Patty! Evergreen Safety Council and its Board of Directors appreciate the contributions you have made to the P/EVO industry.

Evergreen Safety Council’s Executive Director, Jeff Vaughan was proud to present DKB, Inc the John D. Spellman Safety Award. It was accepted by their safety director, David Sandretto. DKB, Inc has an incredible safety record in the construction industry & during this past year, they have continued to enhance and demonstrate their excellence in workplace safety. View Full Article

Strider Construction was the 2017 award winner due to the strong commitment to a high level of safety that is demonstrated by their Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Experience Modification Factor of 0.66 (well below the industry average), as well as the full commitment and involvement of all Strider employees in their safety culture. When working with their clients they strive to provide a quality product, safely delivered via their innate safety culture and planning processes.. The employees are credited for their individual accountability and for visibly being involved in the company’s safety efforts. According to Strider’s Safety Manager, Holly Rainwater, “They are the leaders for a positive change. In a culture of safety, people are not merely encouraged to work toward change; they must take action when it is needed. This is what builds a strong safety culture here at Strider Construction. Everyone is involved.”

The John D. Spellman Safety Award winner for 2016 was T BAILEY, INC. Company-wide and consistent efforts involving all employees to create a robust and dynamic safety program led to a 50% reduction in work injuries and a 60% reduction in field operations injuries in 2015. In 2016 workers again reduced the number of injuries by 67% from the previous year. These impressive reductions, along with the total and inclusive employee involvement in such a successful safety program, led to T BAILEY, INC. being chosen for the 2016 award.
The 2015 winner of the John D. Spellman Safety Award, Continental Mills, Inc. was chosen for the award for achieving an 87% reduction in injury incident rates in the past eight years. Though starting with an incident rate that was already well below the national average, further decreases since 2014 moved them to a “Best in Class” ranking in their industry. Continental Mills employed a company-wide strategy to improve their safety systems that included a goal of 100% employee involvement, use of internal safety systems audits for continuing improvement, and establishing a “Risk Predictions” model and campaign for employee use.
Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc., the 2014 winner, accomplished a great deal over the last two years including: hiring an HSE specialist; implementing a safety & health management system; and holding quarterly safety inspections and internal audits to identify items needing corrective action. Along with following through on those items, they worked to address ergonomic issues and ensured that more than 40% of employees received First Aid/CPR training in 2014. All of this effort resulted in reducing recordable injuries in three different locations from 4 in 2012 to 0 in 2013 & 2014.
Premera Blue Cross was the recipient for 2013. The safety strategies taken by Premera included reduction of slips and falls by 37%. The investment made by management and employees in the areas of establishing corrective solutions, building inspections, and in house ergonomic evaluations was invaluable. Premera puts the safety of their employees first which is evident with the “new employee safety orientations” and procedures on how to report unsafe situations.
Walsh Construction Co.(WCC) received the 2012 award due to their ongoing work to create a safety culture within their company. This was accomplished by building a strong relationship with employees and subcontractors.
Mowat Construction Company’s highly respected and dedicated team has been delivering quality projects safely and on time since 1964. Mowat’s drive for safety starts at the top. With safety as a core value, Mowat has a mission of becoming the safest and most respected contractor in the West.
IMCO Construction was selected based on achieving zero time loss over the last 5 years, minimal recordables, and continually reducing their Experience Mod Rate over the past 5 years; they achieved .04370 in 2010.
Toray Composites America witnessed a significant reduction in incidents and injuries by refocusing its efforts on safety. In 2009 they emphasized employee involvement in hazard identification, tracking, and completing corrective actions.

Seattle Housing Authority – In 2008, the Seattle Housing Authority implemented a new safety program and process which helped them realize a 15% reduction in
incidents and a 69% reduction in associated costs.

Genie Industries – Genie Industries, Inc. began supervisor training as well as large scale ergonomic improvements in 2007. By 2008 Genie realized a 33% reduction
in their lost time rate and a 35% reduction in their recordable case rate.

Nucor Steel Seattle implemented a new safety strategy by adding wellness to its safety program. Nucor opened an on-site clinic, redefined safety roles, initiated a new management system, and set Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) certification as its goal. Nucor’s new safety regime was a tremendous success.
City of Redmond – The City of Redmond employs approx. 500 individuals. In 2006, on top of their normal safety training for each employee (Defensive Driving, FA/CPR & Ergonomics) the city conducted an additional 20 safety related topics. Diamond B Constructors Inc – Diamond B Constructors has achieved a zero lost-time injury rate for the last 6 years, which equates to 2 million man hours. In 2006,they received the AGC Excellence in Safety & Claims Management Top 10 Award. They have also reduced their Workers Comp Experience Modification factor from 0.63 (held over the last 9 years) to .053 for 2006.

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