Grand Rapids, Michigan, December 15, 2021 – CD Barnes Construction today announced it has achieved Diamond in Associated Builders and Contractor’s STEP Safety Management System, meaning the company is 655% safer than the industry average. Founded more than three decades ago, STEP has evolved into a world-class safety program that dramatically improves safety performance among construction industry participants.

Vice President of CD Barnes, Tom Berry, said “At CD Barnes Construction, safety is our number one priority and is a fundamental part of our corporate culture. The goal of our safety program is to provide our employees, customers, contractors, and visitors with a safe and healthy environment in which to work and visit. For three consecutive years we have received a Diamond STEP Award as proof of our company’s dedication to upholding our safety record.”

STEP participants measure their safety processes and policies on key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents. CD Barnes credits our safety record, in part, to holding all levels of management responsible for the safety and well-being of their team. This responsibility can only be met by working continuously to comply with federal, state, and local safety laws, and by promoting safe work practices and attitudes. Our exceptional safety culture is a result of long-term planning, continuous review, and buy-in from all team members.

“Safety is a journey, and that journey is possible because of systems like STEP, which enables ABC member contractors like CD Barnes Construction to have a safer and more productive jobsite,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC Vice President of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “Committing to total human health is essential to ensure both the physical and mental health and safety of our workforce, and I commend CD Barnes Construction for consistently fulfilling those commitments to raising the bar of safety performance.”

According to ABC’s annual Safety Performance Report, STEP participants, regardless of company size or type of work, can reduce recordable incidents up to 85%, making the best performing companies more than eight times safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry average. Ratings range from Diamond, the highest, to Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Participant.

To learn more about the STEP program, visit abcstep.org.