Corps of Engineers recognizes Plain, Wis., contractor for safe work

By Ms. Shannon L Bauer (USACE)January 25, 2013

Corps of Engineers recognizes Plain, Wis., contractor for safe work
Edward Kraemer & Sons, Inc., a contractor with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, removes rocks from the Mississippi River at Lock and Dam 3, near Red Wing, Minn., Jan. 10, 2012. The contractor is the recipient of the district's 201... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, recently announced Edward Kraemer & Sons, Inc., as the recipient of its 2012 Superior Safety Performance Award -- Large Contractor for safe and accident-free work during major construction modifications at Lock and Dam 3, near Red Wing, Minn.

The contractor worked on the Lock and Dam 3 navigation improvement and lower embankment projects. Both contracts were American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded project valued at nearly $47 million, and there were the first two design-build contracts administered by the St. Paul District.

"This was a very large and diverse contract," said Barry Simmonds, St. Paul District safety and occupational health manager. "The fact that they completed so much work without a single lost-time accident proves they didn't rely on luck. They instituted a pro-active and aggressive safety program. They were vigilant, and they didn't slack off. They deserve this award."

The Corps' contractors are required to comply with both Corps of Engineers and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, safety standards. Collectively, the contractor safely completed more than 93,000 man-hours of work during three years of construction without a single lost-time injury or recordable accident.

The Contractor Superior Safety Performance Award is presented annually to one contractor for outstanding safety accomplishments. The St. Paul District awardees were also entered as nominees for the annual Mississippi Valley Division Safety Now Advocacy Group, or SNAG, Award.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, serves the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. It contributes around $175 million to the five-state district economy. The 700 employees work at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.