LaFarge Canada Inc. has won this year's Deputy Minister's Contractor of the Year Award for safety innovation, for its Haul Tailgate Block.

The Tailgate Block is a new safety device that keeps the tailgate in place if the hydraulic line in the tailgate fails. The Tailgate Block is slipped onto the lift cylinder of the tailgate prior to inspectors working in the back of the truck, preventing the tailgate from falling.

In this example of safety innovation, LaFarge identified a serious safety issue and developed a useful, cost-effective way to eliminate the hazard - a solution that is easily transferable to other contractors. LaFarge is a leader in safety innovation, ensuring safety is a key element of any project, and promoting a culture of safety throughout the company.

The Deputy Minister's Contractor of the Year Awards recognize construction and maintenance companies demonstrating excellence in the categories of grading, paving, bridges and structures, and highway maintenance work throughout the province. The award for excellence in safety innovation is a new category this year.

The 10th annual awards were hosted by the B.C. Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association on Dec. 7 in Victoria.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak -

"Road safety and efficiency is one of this government's top priorities and this award to LaFarge Canada for safety innovation is well-deserved. Congratulations to LaFarge and to all the award winners and finalists for their outstanding work to improve and maintain B.C.'s roads, highways and bridges."

Vancouver-Langara MLA Dr. Moira Stilwell -

"Congratulations to Lafarge Canada for its sterling work in safety innovation. This new device will improve on-the-job protection for those who work hard to make roads safer for everyone. This should serve as inspiration to the industry - one that hopefully leads other contractors to follow suit."

Photographs of the Deputy Minister's Contractor of the Year Award winners and finalists can be viewed at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/celebratingexcellence/contractors.htm

Contact:

Cindy Cousins
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-1572