Bill Pierce, owner of Pierce & Associates Builders, based in Helena, Mont., received the first Caterpillar Safety Award at a recent industry event in Las Vegas, Nev. Caterpillar’s Customer Safety Services Manager, Tara Cox, said that Pierce & Associates exemplifies the four key measurements of an effective safety program — accountability, engagement, support and reinforcement.

“Building homes in the steep, mountainous terrain around Helena taught this contractor early on the benefits of safe job sites,” said Cox.

Pierce & Associates had no reportable injuries in 2008 and had a 20 percent better-than-average Experience Modification Rate, which compares a firm’s workers’ compensation claims with those of similar employers. In addition, the company was instrumental in passage of the Montana Safety Culture Act and worked to establish the Group Rewards Insurance Program, which reduces workers’ compensation costs for the state’s safety-conscious contractors.

The company employs a full-time safety staff, holds frequent employee-safety meetings and pays quarterly bonuses to accident-free crews. An integral aspect of the program is regular machine inspection to assure job-ready equipment.

Pierce received the award from Jeff Burton, driver of the Number 31 Caterpillar car on the NASCAR circuit for Richard Childress Racing. Cox concluded the award presentation by extending to Pierce & Associates the good wishes of local Cat dealer Tractor & Equipment Co. and of Caterpillar CEO Jim Owens.