Oklahoma DOT field divisions and crews were recognized for good safety records at a recent meeting of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. They wore orange ribbons in honor of the 59 ODOT workers who have died in the line of duty and to remind everyone to practice safe driving in highway work zones.Back row, from left: Division 7 Engineer Jay Earp, Gray County Maintenance Superintendent Rick Davis, Data Collection Branch Manager Aaron Fridrich, Division 4 Construction Engineer Joe Echelle, Oklahoma City Residency Transportation Manager Andy Wilson, Division 3 Bridge Crew Superintendent Dustin Grand, Division 3 Engineer Kevin Bloss, Division 1 Engineer Darren Saliba and Checotah Interstate Maintenance Superintendent Sam Duvall.
Front row, from left: Division 5 Engineer Brent Almquist, Blaine County Maintenance Superintendent Mark Wray, Division 6 Shop Superintendent Bruce Appleton, Division 6 Engineer Ron McDaniel, Ottawa County Maintenance Superintendent Dustin Marang, Division 8 Engineer Randle White, Division 2 Division Wide Maintenance Superintendent Roddy Mills, Division 2 Engineer Anthony Echelle and ODOT Safety Branch Manager Mike Bracken.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has honored crews at its eight field divisions and the Oklahoma City headquarters with workplace safety awards.
ODOT annually conducts onsite reviews, accident follow-up and ongoing safety education with its worker safety program. As a result, the number of employee injury accidents has dropped by 60 percent over the past 10 years.
ODOT’s Division 3, based in Ada, received this year’s Governor’s Safety Excellence Award, which goes to the ODOT field division with the best overall safety record for the past year. The division increased its safety performance record by 94 percent year over year.
The Progressive Excellence Award, which honors the field division with the most improved safety rating, went to Division 2. The Antlers-based division boosted its safety performance 96 percent compared to the previous year.
Winners of the Director’s Safety Awards, which are presented to the unit in each of ODOT’s eight field divisions and its Oklahoma City headquarters with the best safety record, include:
- Division One, Checotah Interstate Maintenance
- Division Two, Division Wide Maintenance Crew
- Division Three, Division Wide Bridge Crew
- Division Four, Oklahoma City Residency
- Division Five, Blaine County Maintenance
- Division Six, Mechanic’s Shop
- Division Seven, Grady County Maintenance
- Division Eight, Ottawa County Maintenance
- Division Nine, Data Collection Branch
