United Contractors Announces R.E.A.L. Safety Award Winners
UCON’s Safety Awards Program recognizes excellence in jobsite safety, leadership, and innovation across California’s union construction industry.
Safety is more than a priority—it's the foundation of every successful construction project. United Contractors (UCON) announces the recipients of its 2025 R.E.A.L. Safety Awards, honoring the companies, projects, and safety professionals whose leadership continues to raise the standard for jobsite safety across California's union construction industry.
Recognizing Excellence, Awareness, and Leadership in safety, the program, now in its third decade, the R.E.A.L. Safety Awards celebrate companies and individuals who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to protecting their workforce, preventing injuries, and fostering a culture where safety is a core value.
This year, UCON received one of the largest applicant pools in the program's history, reflecting the industry's continued investment in safety excellence. Applications were reviewed anonymously, with each submission evaluated against established criteria to recognize outstanding leadership, innovation, and measurable safety performance.
2025 R.E.A.L. SAFETY AWARD WINNERS
The following companies and individuals have been recognized for demonstrating excellence in safety leadership and performance during 2025:
1,000,000+ MAN-HOURS
- Granite Construction Company
- Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.
- Sully-Miller Contracting Company
- Sukut Construction LLC
500,001-1,000,000 MAN-HOURS
- Anvil Builders
- City Rise Safety
- Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc.
- Mountain Cascade, Inc.
250,001-500,000 MAN-HOURS
- Ghilotti Bros., Inc. (also Team Zero)
- Monterey Mechanical Co. (also Team Zero)
- Mozingo Construction, Inc.
- Ranger Pipelines, Inc.
100,001-250,000 MAN-HOURS
- California Engineering Contractors, Inc. (also Team Zero)
- Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc. (also Team Zero)
- Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc. (also Team Zero)
- Trademark Concrete Systems, Inc.
UP TO 100,000 MAN-HOURS
- E.E. Gilbert Construction, Inc. (also Team Zero)
- GSW Construction Inc. (also Team Zero)
- Pacific Boring, Inc. (also Team Zero)
- R E Mason Engineering, Inc. (also Team Zero)
MOST UNIQUE SAFETY PROJECT
- Flatiron Dragados West, LLC
- Marina Landscape, Inc.
- Shimmick Construction Company, Inc.
- Teichert Construction
MOST UNIQUE SAFETY PROJECT – Honorable Mention
- Anvil Builders
- J.F. Shea Construction, Inc.
- Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc. (also Team Zero)
MOST IMPROVED SAFETY RATING
- American Civil Constructors West Coast (also Team Zero)
- Ghilotti Bros., Inc. (also Team Zero)
- J&J Acoustics, Inc. (also Team Zero)
- Mr. Crane, Inc. (also Team Zero)
SAFETY HERO OF THE YEAR
- Michael Flowers, Southern California District Safety Manager, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.
- Ryan Turner, Superintendent, Sierra Mountain Construction Inc.
- James de Alba II, General Superintendent – Teichert Construction
- Dr. Avery Fox, Ed.D., M.S., CSP, EPSE, Director of Health & Safety, Southern California, Underground Construction Co., Inc.
TEAM ZERO ACHIEVEMENT:
In addition to this year's category winners, UCON proudly recognizes the following companies with a Team Zero Safety Achievement Award for maintaining zero recordable incidents throughout 2025. This accomplishment reflects an exceptional commitment to protecting employees and fostering a proactive safety culture.
- American Civil Constructors West Coast
- Andreini Bros., Inc.
- California Engineering Contractors, Inc
- E.E. Gilbert Construction, Inc.
- Ghilotti Bros., Inc.
- GSW Construction, Inc.
- J&J Acoustics, Inc.
- JMH Engineering and Construction
- Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc.
- Monterey Mechanical Co.
- Mr. Crane, Inc.
- Odigos Construction, Inc.
- P C & N Construction, Inc.
- Pacific Boring, Inc.
- R E Mason Engineering, Inc.
- Robert Burns Construction, Inc.
- Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc.
- Silverado Contractors, Inc.
- Western Water Constructors, Inc.
"Safety isn't simply a program—it's a responsibility shared by every leader, every crew, and every person who steps onto a jobsite,” stated Emily Cohen, UCON CEO. “The companies and individuals recognized through the R.E.A.L. Safety Awards demonstrate what is possible when safety becomes part of an organization's culture. Their leadership raises the standard for our entire industry."
Mike Donlon, Chief Safety Consultant at UCON, added, "The caliber of this year's applications was exceptional. Their commitment helps make every jobsite safer—not only for their own employees, but for our entire industry."
About the R.E.A.L. Safety Awards
Established in 2005, the R.E.A.L. Safety Awards are guided by UCON's Safety & Insurance Committee and recognize contractors and individuals who exemplify Recognizing Excellence, Awareness, and Leadership in safety. The program promotes continuous improvement, innovation, and a culture where every employee goes home safely.
About United Contractors (UCON)
United Contractors is a member-driven association representing nearly 800 union-signatory construction firms and affiliate members across California. UCON is dedicated to protecting, educating, and empowering California’s union contractors through labor relations, political advocacy, HR support, safety & regulatory services, professional & leadership development, and industry networking.
For more information about United Contractors and the R.E.A.L. Safety Awards, and the UCON Safety & Insurance Committee, contact:
Jennifer Galenti, Director of Executive Affairs, and Liaison to UCON’s Safety & Insurance Committee - (925) 362-7307
Michael Donlon, UCON Chief Safety Consultant
Keith Oxford, Monterey Mechanical Co., UCON Safety & Insurance Committee Chairperson
