TOLM Group today announced it has earned a National Safety Excellence Award from Associated Builders and Contractors, which was presented at the 35th annual Excellence in Construction® Awards during ABC Convention 2025 in Las Vegas on Feb. 26.
TOLM received the award for their demonstrated commitment to health and safety, as well as their continued safety performance and programs that are judged to be exemplary by the ABC National Health and Safety Committee. The award was presented to only 52 contractors nationwide.
Ethan Lowe, Director of HSE, highlighted the significance of this achievement, emphasizing the dedication of the company’s workforce and leadership.
“The National Safety Excellence Award is a testament to the dedication of our craftsmen, who make safety a personal commitment every day, and to our leadership, who are actively engaged
in fostering an environment where our team is trusted, supported, and empowered,” Lowe stated. “True safety excellence isn’t about compliance alone. It’s about building a culture where everyone has a voice, risks are openly discussed, and learning drives continuous improvement. We’re proud of this achievement, but even more proud of the people who make it possible.”
The 2024 National Safety Excellence Award winners were selected from ABC member firms that achieved Diamond, Platinum or Gold status in ABC’s STEP Safety Management System® in 2024, reflective of their 2023 safety performance data. During the selection process, contractors were judged on self-evaluation scores, lost workday case rates, total recordable incident rates, leading indicator use, process and program innovations and interviews conducted by members of ABC’s National Health and Safety Committee.
“TOLM Group exhibits an unrelenting commitment to jobsite safety, and that should be celebrated and honored,” said 2025 Chair of the ABC National Board of Directors David Pugh, partner, Bradley, Birmingham, Alabama. “The leadership and employees at TOLM make a choice every day to create a culture that refuses to compromise on safety, relentlessly ensuring every employee leaves the jobsite in the same or better condition every day. Among these safety winners are several ABC Top Performers, ranked by work hours. Thank you to these safety leaders for the example they set for this industry.”
The National Safety Excellence Awards are presented in three major North American Industry Classification System code categories: NAICS 236—Construction of Buildings; NAICS 237—Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction; and NAICS 238—Specialty Trade Contractors.
STEP provides contractors and suppliers with a robust, no-cost framework for measuring safety data and benchmarking with peers in the industry which enables top-performing ABC members to achieve incident rates 576% safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics construction industry average. The self-assessment tool helps participants identify real opportunities for calable growth in their safety programs to lower their total recordable incident rates.
CNA, ABC’s longest-standing strategic partner, is the presenting sponsor of the National Safety Excellence Awards. CNA’s dedicated construction team delivers a deep understanding, attentive approach and carefully tailored solutions that help contractors navigate unique and evolving exposures.
See a complete list of winners on ABC’s website.
TOLM Group is a leading full-service construction firm specializing in water and wastewater infrastructure services. With a commitment to excellence and client satisfaction, TOLM Group delivers comprehensive solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients across the region.
