Hoban Equipment Ltd., in partnership with World Tech Solutions, has won this year's Deputy Minister's Contractor of the Year Award for safety innovation, for its Employee Proximity Alerting System.

This progressive system was developed to improve worker safety around aggregate crushers. The system provides real-time information, including employee identification, to the crusher operator whenever a worker enters the hazardous area around the crusher, allowing the area to be locked out. It also allows mobile equipment operators to know the location and activity of the workers in the area.

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 was added to the awards last year.

The 11th annual awards were hosted by the B.C. Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association on Dec. 6 in Victoria.

The other finalists in this category are Winvan Paving Ltd. for the Jack-hammer Water Attachment and Mainroad Contracting, Lower Mainland, for the Cone Zone Go-Cart Ride.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone -

"The most important aspect of a road construction or rehabilitation project is safety. Our contractors go the extra mile to come up with innovative solutions to make the workplace safer, and Hoban Equipment deserves to be recognized this year for its Employee Proximity Alerting System. Congratulations as well to the other finalists for their great work this year in keeping B.C.'s transportation network safe and efficient for the travelling public."

MLA for Vernon-Monashee Eric Foster -

"Hoban Equipment Ltd. is a great partner in our community and has been providing services that keep our roads and highways safe for almost 50 years. This award for safety innovation recognizes the outstanding work the company does, that benefits all British Columbians."

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

Media Contact:

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