By Holt Andron, CSP, CHST, CRIS, AGC Safety and Loss Control Consultant
As the 2025 AGC PRIDE (Program Recognition Indicating Dedication and Excellence) season comes to a close, it is a great opportunity to reflect upon what sets apart PRIDE award winners from their industry peers. Two specific safety elements highlight the continuous improvement steps, which are a hallmark of PRIDE companies: statistical performance and innovation.
Statistical Performance
As you know, to be in AGC’s group, you are already performing above the average contractor in Oregon. But of those 744 total AGC members, 28 applied for the PRIDE program. Out of the 28 applicants, 19 met the rigorous statistical criteria established by Oregon OSHA and AGC for PRIDE qualification, representing approximately 3.7% of all AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter members.
Looking at the 19 AGC members who met the statistical criteria for entry into PRIDE this year, we see exceptional statistics. The following averages are derived from the safety statistics from each of the 19 AGC members who qualified for PRIDE in 2025[1]:
- Average EMR (Mod rate) = .66
- Average Incurred Loss Ratio = 9.89%
- Average Total Recordable Case Rate (TRC) = 1.28
- Average Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred Rate (DART) = .57
Considering that an “average” company EMR is 1.0, PRIDE companies exceed this benchmark by 34%! If we compare the average TRC and DART rates from PRIDE companies with the published TRC and DART rates for all construction companies (23 NAICS) in 2023, we see the following:
- 2023 National TRC for Construction: 2.3[2]
- 2023 Oregon TRC for Construction: 3.7[3]
- 2023 National DART for Construction: 1.5
- 2023 Oregon DART for Construction: 2.3
Comparing PRIDE employer averages with 2023 published national and Oregon rates, we see that PRIDE employers have 45% fewer recordable injury cases than the nation, and nearly 65% fewer recordable injury cases than other construction employers in Oregon.
The difference in DART rate is even more stark—using the group average, PRIDE employers have 62% fewer disabling injuries than other construction companies in the U.S., and a staggering 75% fewer disabling injuries than their Oregon competitors!
Innovation
Continuous improvement is an expectation of all AGC PRIDE employers, and this year did not disappoint with how AGC PRIDE companies innovate to advance and improve safety for their employees. Here are some best practices[4] that PRIDE companies have implemented, verified by on-site audits from AGC safety management consultants:
- Backup and load view cameras on all equipment
- AI proximity detection cameras mounted on all earth-moving equipment.
Portable temperature and humidity monitors that can identify the specific heat index where employees are working. - Sitewide emergency notification systems to notify all personnel, or specific personnel, of emergencies for total evacuation or a medical event.
- Integrated safety use of construction software programs to increase efficiency, transparency, and oversight of activities like training, maintenance, and pre-use inspections.
- Pre-site orientation (videos, policies, etc.) sent to employees and subcontractors that will be on site, followed by on-site orientation with the superintendent.
- “Ladders Last” and “Nothing Hits the Floor” policies to administratively control working at heights, housekeeping, and ergonomics.
- Robust use of on-site medical providers, including during off-hours and on weekends.
- Physical therapy is offered free and anonymously, or on a scheduled basis, to all employees at no cost.
- Mental health resources are posted and discussed regularly, including phone numbers to call for stress management, suicide prevention, addiction resources, EAP wallet cards with login information for union and non-union workers, and toolbox talks specifically regarding mental health.
AGC member companies already exceed the average performance of construction firms in terms of safety. AGC PRIDE employers take this to the next level, showing tremendous dedication to continuous improvement, innovation, and safety. The end result is clear: fewer injuries, better profitability, and a safety program worthy of achieving the AGC PRIDE award. Congratulations to our PRIDE award recipients.
[1] Full details on how PRIDE qualification statistics are calculated can be found on the first page of the PRIDE application.
[2] 2023 BLS Injury and Illness Rates, 23 NAICS for all Construction
[3] 2023 Oregon Injury and Illness Rates, 23 NAICS for all Construction
[4] This list is not all-inclusive and contains best practices from both current and former AGC PRIDE award recipients.