NAHB/Builders Mutual Safety Award for Excellence Winners

The Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) recognizes those in home building who have made successful efforts to advance jobsite safety in the industry. NAHB and its official safety sponsor, Builders Mutual, congratulate the 2025 winners.

The winners were honored at a ceremony in the IBS Jobsite Safety Zone on the show floor at the 2026 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Feb. 17, 2026.

Leadership in Construction Safety

Erik Anderson
Job-Site Safety Institute
Winston-Salem, N.C.

Erik Anderson is Vice President of Anderson Moore Kitchen & Bath in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Job-Site Safety Institute (JSI) since 2015. In 2020, Erik was elected Chairman of the JSI Board, where he provides strategic leadership and organizational oversight. During his tenure, JSI raised $1.8 million in donations and awarded $900,000 in grants to support construction safety research, training, and education initiatives. Erik has led a team of volunteer industry professionals while providing financial, legal, and organizational guidance to advance JSI’s mission. His leadership has contributed to the expansion of safety programs and resources that promote safer job sites across the residential construction industry. He remains committed to JSI’s mission of ensuring construction workers return home safely each day.

Job-Site Safety Institute Innovative Safety Idea of the Year

Kool Kapz Headwear
Kool Kapz
Lincoln, Neb.

Kool Kapz Headwear is recognized for developing and patenting an innovative cooling solution designed for use under hard hats. Featuring refrigerated or frozen gel-pack technology integrated into bandanas, skull caps, and doo rags, Kool Kapz provides active head and brain cooling to help reduce the risk of heat-related illness and injury on job sites. This simple yet effective design offers longer-lasting cooling than traditional water-based products, supporting worker safety, comfort, and productivity in high-temperature environments. Kool Kapz has helped employers reduce heat-related incidents, minimize workers’ compensation claims, and better protect their workforce as heat exposure standards continue to tighten.

Single-Family Builder Safety Program of the Year

Sea-Dar Construction
Boston

Sea-Dar Construction has implemented a comprehensive safety program focused on hazard recognition, accountability, and continuous improvement across its job sites. The program includes weekly toolbox talks addressing project-specific risks, routine job site safety inspections, and the use of digital safety tools to standardize inspections, improve documentation, and track corrective actions. Safety performance data is reviewed to identify trends and support proactive risk management, while ongoing OSHA 10- and 30-hour training tracking ensures employees meet required safety qualifications. Through consistent training, regular evaluations, and adherence to OSHA standards, Sea-Dar Construction promotes a strong culture of safety that prioritizes worker protection and safe residential construction practices.

Multi-Family Safety Program of the Year (More Than 50 Employees)

Fortune-Johnson
Peachtree Corners, Ga.

With more than 35 years of experience and over 40,000 multifamily units completed across the Southeast, Fortune-Johnson has established safety as a core company value embedded in every project. The company’s comprehensive safety program is built on the belief that all incidents are preventable and that every employee and subcontractor shares responsibility for maintaining a safe job site. All construction personnel are required to hold OSHA 30-hour certification, complete site-specific orientations, and participate in weekly safety meetings, daily audits, and quarterly company-wide training. Oversight includes unannounced internal inspections by the Regional Safety Director and monthly third-party audits, with findings reviewed by leadership to ensure accountability and continuous improvement. Ongoing education is supported through Fortune-Johnson University, which provides in-person training and mobile micro-learning tailored to project-specific risks. Through consistent training, proactive inspections, and open communication, Fortune-Johnson maintains a strong safety record and reinforces a culture where every worker is empowered to return home safely each day.

Multi-Family Safety Program of the Year (Fewer Than 50 Employees)

Jim Chapman Construction Group
Atlanta

The Jim Chapman Construction Group (JCCG) maintains a comprehensive safety program designed to support a safe and health-conscious work environment across all multi-family construction operations. The program emphasizes employee and subcontractor training, routine safety meetings, systematic hazard identification and reporting, strict compliance with OSHA regulations, and consistent use of personal protective equipment. A distinguishing feature is JCCG’s anchor strap policy, in which anchor straps are installed and left on trusses during the framing phase to provide a standardized fall-protection system for all trades working six feet or more above ground level, significantly reducing fall-related risks and potential OSHA violations. Program effectiveness is measured through quarterly safety metrics and bi-monthly subcontractor safety inspection scores, which demonstrate a reduction in workplace incidents, improved compliance with company safety standards, and increased awareness of safety protocols.

Remodeler Safety Program of the Year (Fewer Than 50 Employees)

Crossbeam Builders, LLC
Salt Lake City

Crossbeam Builders, LLC maintains a comprehensive safety program that is fully integrated into its daily operations and company culture. The program emphasizes proactive hazard identification, structured onboarding for employees and subcontractors, regular job site inspections, and strict use of personal protective equipment on all projects. Written safety policies and ongoing training ensure consistent adherence to OSHA standards while empowering team members to take ownership of job site safety, including the authority to stop work if unsafe conditions arise. This approach has resulted in consistently low incident rates, improved accountability, and strong project performance, reinforcing the company’s belief that safety is foundational to quality workmanship.

Remodeler Safety Program of the Year (More Than 50 Employees)

Sea-Dar Construction
Boston

Sea-Dar Construction has implemented a comprehensive safety program focused on hazard recognition, accountability, and continuous improvement across its job sites. The program includes weekly toolbox talks addressing project-specific risks, routine job site safety inspections, and the use of digital safety tools to standardize inspections, improve documentation, and track corrective actions. Safety performance data is reviewed to identify trends and support proactive risk management, while ongoing OSHA 10- and OSHA 30-hour training tracking ensures employees meet required safety qualifications. Through consistent training, regular evaluations, and adherence to OSHA standards, Sea-Dar Construction promotes a strong culture of safety that prioritizes worker protection and safe residential construction practices.

Specialty Trade Contractor Safety Program of the Year

Comer Construction
Forest Hill, Md.

Comer Construction, founded in 1982, is a women-owned site development contractor serving commercial, residential, and public projects. Safety is central to the company’s culture, beginning with rigorous pre-employment screenings and comprehensive orientations, reinforced through daily “Take 5” discussions, weekly toolbox talks, and a cross-functional Safety Solutions Team that identifies hazards and drives improvements. Employees are empowered to stop work if conditions are unsafe, and innovative tools, such as QR codes in hard hats, provide instant access to manuals and certifications. Regular audits, incident reviews, and risk assessments maintain accountability, while community outreach and emergency responder training extend safety beyond the job site. This proactive program has achieved measurable results, including a strong EMR, demonstrating Comer Construction’s commitment to protecting its workforce and fostering a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Associate Member Safety Program of the Year

3/8 and Co.
Sarasota, Fla.

3/8 and Co., LLC provides motorized outdoor comfort solutions throughout Florida’s west coast and has maintained a strong commitment to job site safety since 2013. The company operates a structured safety program developed with its workers’ compensation carrier, reinforced through quarterly safety meetings, pre-job hazard discussions, regular equipment inspections, and annual program reviews. With no subcontractors, 3/8 and Co. maintains direct oversight of all safety practices, requiring proper PPE, replacing defective tools promptly, and addressing potential hazards before work begins. Employees are actively engaged in maintaining safety standards, contributing to a culture of accountability and prevention. This approach has resulted in an outstanding safety record with no major claims, no OSHA violations, and no fatalities.

State or Local Association Safety Program of the Year

HBA of the Sioux Empire
Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire (HBASE) has made construction safety a core priority by delivering accessible, practical education for both its members and the future workforce. Through its Safety Series, HBASE offers regular OSHA 10- and OSHA 30-hour certification courses, forklift training, and targeted workshops covering key hazards such as fall protection, PPE, excavation, and electrical safety. These programs are led by experienced industry professionals and promoted through multiple channels to ensure broad participation. Extending safety education beyond its membership, HBASE partners with local high schools and technical colleges to sponsor OSHA outreach training for students in building trades programs, helping develop a pipeline of safety-conscious workers while supporting member workforce needs. By combining accredited training, ongoing communication, and strong school and community partnerships, HBASE continues to strengthen job site safety, protect workers, and reinforce a culture of prevention throughout the Sioux Empire’s residential construction industry.

NAHB Student Chapter Safety Program of the Year (Universities)

Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg, Idaho

The Brigham Young University-Idaho Design and Construction Management (DCM) Student Chapter integrates safety into every aspect of its academic and hands-on training for more than 250 active NAHB student members. Students participate in mandatory pre-lab safety meetings that mirror real-world job site planning, emphasizing hazard identification, pre-task planning, and risk mitigation. Comprehensive job talks are required before operating equipment, with students demonstrating competency prior to use. The program culminates in the development of a professional-grade safety manual that applies OSHA standards and industry best practices to realistic construction scenarios. All students earn OSHA 30-hour certification, and mental health awareness is incorporated to promote holistic worker well-being. This comprehensive, prevention-focused approach prepares graduates to enter the home building industry as safety-conscious leaders.

NAHB Student Chapter Safety Program of the Year (Community Colleges)

Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Founded in 2017, the Kirkwood Community College NAHB Student Chapter has built a strong, safety-centered program that connects classroom learning with real-world construction practices through active collaboration with industry partners. Safety is a core element of the chapter’s mission and Construction Management program, with every member completing OSHA 10-hour Construction Safety certification to establish a solid foundation in hazard recognition and compliance. In partnership with the Greater Iowa City Home Builders Association and Greater Cedar Rapids Housing and Building Association, the chapter co-hosted NAHB’s Fall Prevention in Residential Construction Training alongside the Job-Site Safety Institute and the National Housing Endowment, bringing students and industry professionals together for hands-on education focused on reducing fall-related risks. Safety concepts are reinforced through lab work, job site visits, internships, and guest speakers that emphasize accountability, risk assessment, and safe work practices. Through this integrated approach, the Kirkwood NAHB Student Chapter is preparing future builders to carry a strong culture of safety into the workforce.