Hudgins Contracting Corporation of Hampton, Virginia, has been named the winner of the 2023 Safety Award, presented annually as part of Equipment World’s Contractor of the Year Award program.
Lester Hudgins started Hudgins in 1971 as a general contractor. Today, the $11 million to $13 million firm with 34 employees is run by his wife, Marsha Hudgins. The company now specializes in government and private commercial site preparation and infrastructure construction.
Along with being the Safety Award winner, Hudgins was among 12 finalists for the 2023 Contractor of the Year Award. The awards were presented March 16-18 at ceremonies at the Wynn Las Vegas resort. Presenting the Safety Award along with Equipment World Chief Editor Jordanne Waldschmidt was George Hart, North American product marketing manager at Caterpillar, the sponsor of the Contractor of the Year program for 23 years.
The Safety Award is presented to a Contractor of the Year finalist who exemplifies outstanding safety practices, has a low experience modification rate, and no safety violations by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Beyond that, the recipient must show demonstrated effort in creating a work culture that focuses on not only jobsite safety but all aspects of human health – mental, physical and emotional.
Hudgins performs work on federal and private commercial projects with stringent safety and personnel rules. All employees must pass a background check dating back to age 18 and drug screening to work on a government site. In addition, the company conducts random quarterly drug tests.
Site superintendents are responsible for enforcing safety best practices daily, and a third-party inspector conducts monthly random site inspections. Any issues are dealt with immediately via education, not punishment.
Annually, all employees undergo OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training, whether they are up for renewal or not. Twice a year, the company rents out a hotel ballroom to conduct a companywide networking and safety event. Safety presentations from outside experts and hands-on training – including CPR, OSHA "competent person" and confined space training – are conducted.
