SAM Companies is pleased to announce our certification by the Gold Shovel Standard (GSS). As a Core Value, we make sure to embed Safety into our company culture through our programs, systems, and policies. It is an honor to be recognized by an industry organization whose values align with our own for the safety and wellbeing of our employees, clients, and communities.
GSS facilitates continuous safety improvements and works to standardize performance metrics for companies in the utility, energy, and telecommunications industries The organization empowers field teams to operate safely and protect both the excavation crews and the public through repeatable, safety-based decision-making processes, standardized metrics, and innovative technology.
SAM has developed programs and invested in technologies to “lead with safety” and mitigate potential hazards in the field. From onboarding through project planning and completion, our programs focus on active employee engagement and accountability to ensure a safe workplace and project site. Our teams work daily to identify and immediately address any deficiencies or risks on project sites with SAM’s app-based Job Hazard Analysis form and tracking system. This approach and technology provide immediate visibility into the risks of daily field operations and helps reduce the lag time that could potentially lead to incidents.
The GSS certification recognizes SAM for meeting or exceeding requirements for using and maintaining safe, damage prevention practices while completing utility infrastructure projects.
“SAM invests in innovative technologies to help reduce potential damage such as non-intrusive, soft-dig technologies, which greatly reduce the potential for damage during excavation projects,” said SAM Director of Safety, Todd Baker, CSP, ARM. “We are grateful GSS has recognized those proactive efforts and we will continue to evolve our policies and train our team members to deliver projects with the highest level of safety.”
To learn more about SAM’s safety practices and workplace safety requirements and standards, visit our Health and Safety Page.