Gaines and Company Names 2021 Year-End Safety Excellence Achievement Award Recipients

The 2021 Safety Excellence Achievement Award was presented to Maryland’s Marvin Lopez and North Carolina’s Luis Ramirez for furthering the company’s safety standards to promote a safety culture that consistently and reliably protects the entire workforce.

Every quarter, Gaines and Company names a Safety Excellence Achievement Award winner from both its Maryland and North Carolina locations. All winners from the respective year are then entered into the running for the year-end distinction.

“When we choose the year-end winners,” said Safety Director Dominic Pope, “we consider which employees made the most impact on keeping our crews safe, providing reliability and safe work that advances the well-being of the entire jobsite.” Pipelayer Marvin Lopez and Main Line Operator Luis Ramirez did just that.

Marvin Lopez (right) was named winner of Maryland’s 2021 Safety Excellence Achievement Award. He was presented with the award by Safety Director Dominic Pope (left).

Marvin Lopez – Maryland Winner

Marvin Lopez received Maryland’s Safety Excellence Achievement Award in the first quarter for taking proactive safety measures by inspecting and ensuring the correct location of tools and equipment. Marvin is a pipelayer who was been with Gaines and Company for six years.

Ever Sorto, Marvin’s direct foreman, said, “It’s so nice to have Marvin on the crew. I know I can always rely on him to be one step ahead of the crew, ensuring all tools and equipment are not only where they should be to support safe and seamless operation, but also making sure that they are in good working condition.”

Luis Ramirez (middle) recognized by Safety Director Dominic Pope (left) and Foreman Brady Degroft (right) with the Gaines and Company Safety Excellence Award for his commitment to safe work.

Luis Ramirez – North Carolina Winner

Luis Ramirez was awarded the Safety Excellence Achievement Award in 2021’s second quarter (as well as the second quarter of 2019). He was recognized for his safety-first attitude, ensuring the safety of everyone throughout the job site. Luis is a main line operator and has worked for Gaines and Company for 20 years.

“Luis effortlessly demonstrates that production and safety go side-by-side,” said Dominic. “He is an outstanding operator and always confident his trench is safe for the crew to work in by ensuring it is benched to shored or sloped properly. Also, he is not afraid to speak up to get things done the right way.”

Marvin and Luis were awarded $200 in safety bucks to use on gear in the company’s online safety store and a cooler with a thermos.

“Gaines and Company firmly believes that work should not be done if it cannot be completed safely. Marvin and Luis exemplify that mindset in their daily work, ensuring that not only their actions, but the actions of their entire crew mirror that attitude,” said  Dominic. “I am extremely proud to see them both recognized with the 2021 Safety Excellence Achievement Award.”

Gaines and Company is not only focused on quality performance, but a safe performance from all employees throughout the job site. Its nearly 70-year reputation is rooted in safe work. The organization is proud of its employees and pleased to recognize those that go above and beyond when it comes to safety with the Safety Excellence Achievement Award. Congratulations Marvin and Luis!

Gaines and Company is a full-service grading and excavation company with a groundbreaking safety excellence program. In both the Maryland and North Carolina divisions, a Safety Excellence Achievement Award is given on a quarterly basis to employees who go above and beyond in their dedication to safety.