Gaines and Company Pipelayer Receives Safety Excellence Achievement Award

Raphael Chacon (middle) recognized by Foreman Keith Collins (left) and Safety Director Dominic Pope (right) with the Gaines and Company Safety Excellence Award for his commitment to safe work.

Maryland Quarterly Safety Award – 3RD Quarter 2021

For almost 70 years, Gaines and Company has delivered turn key site development services with quality, trust, and safety, earning them the reputation of being a leader in the industry. The organization does not only talk about safety, but their workforce also lives it every day on the job site. Safety is a leading company priority and value. The workforce will not move forward unless this value can be upheld. Because of that, Gaines and Company recognizes employees who go beyond required safety measures with the Safety Excellence Achievement Award in both its Maryland and North Carolina locations every quarter. Raphael Chacon consistently models safe work, earning him recognition as Maryland’s third quarter Safety Excellence Achievement Award recipient.

The job of a successful pipelayer takes more than skill. It takes a steadfast dedication to safety that goes beyond one’s self, but encompasses everyone on the job site. A successful pipelayer is aware of changing environmental and job site conditions and always thinks one step ahead. Raphael Chacon was nominated for the Safety Excellence Achievement Award by his foreman, Keith Collins, for his consistent commitment and dedication to personal and team safety.

Raphael Chacon has been with Gaines and Company for three years. He has grown from working as a laborer to his current role as a pipelayer. He is certified in OSHA 10, Confined Space Training, Excavation Safety Training, and CPR/First Aid. His responsibilities include more than his physical work. In fact, Raphael recognizes there is another element to his job performance— keeping his team safe.

“As a pipelayer, Raphael is responsible for not only making sure the work is done right, but also looking out for other guys on the team. He’s always safe with the guys and makes sure everything is how it should be before he goes into the ditch,” said Foreman Keith Collins.

“Raphael is always one step ahead of the team in assuring that the job site is safe,” added Safety Director Dominic Pope. “We know we can count on him to make sure everyone is out of harm’s way.”

Dominic Pope and Keith Collins presented Raphael with a Safety Excellence Award certificate, exclusive award recipient hat, and $150 in safety bucks to use on gear on the company’s online safety store. Raphael is in the running for the 2021 year-end Safety Excellence Achievement Award, along with all 2021 recipients in both Gaines and Company’s Maryland and North Carolina locations.