BA Blacktop Ltd. of North Vancouver has won this year’s Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Award in the category of safety innovation for their Quick Response Code Safety HUB.

“The winner of this years’ safety innovation award is delivering up-to-date safety information to its workers in the field through an innovative use of the technology we carry with us every day,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “BA Blacktop has clearly demonstrated the commitment of the road building industry to improve work practices and increase worker safety.” 

BA Blacktop won the award for linking their safety policies and procedures into today’s smart phone technology via Quick Response (QR) codes. Workers are able to access safety information by scanning the stickers placed on the equipment at any time and from any location. Examples of the information provided through the QR codes are pre-trip inspection check lists, operator safety protocols, or equipment-servicing information. As well, any updates to the safety information are immediately available to crews out working in the field, which is a significant advantage over having printed copies of policies and manuals.

“BA Blacktop is a leader in establishing and promoting a safety culture for their workforce and is an inspiration to industry,” said North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite. “This Deputy Minister’s award is well-deserved and I would like to extend my congratulations to the team at BA Blacktop.”

“Congratulations to BA Blacktop for pushing the envelope when it comes to ensuring the safety of their workers,” said North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto. “It’s great to see how this company is applying today’s technology to the protocols and procedures that are helping keep their crews safe at work.”

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, safety innovation, and highway maintenance work throughout the province.

This award for excellence in safety innovation recognizes all types of health and safety innovations, including those which address or highlight:

• The management of workplace impairment issues.
• Planning for safety at the design stage of projects.
• Engineering controls that replace personal protective equipment.
• Site practices that improve awareness and reduce public/worker risk.
• Use of innovative practices or tools.
• Programs or techniques which help prevent workplace incidents, injuries and illness.

The 13th annual awards were hosted by the B.C. Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association on Friday, Dec. 4 in Victoria.

Learn more:

Information including videos and photographs of the Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Award winners and finalists can be viewed at: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=21210EA42C0B44E89988247CED288762​ 

Follow the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at: www.tranbc.ca