Safety Programs
Workplace safety is of primary importance to PLCAC Members. Significant Association resources are used to develop and maintain workplace safety resources. The Safety Program has two components, The James L. Abraham Safety Performance Awards of Excellence and Workplace Safety Tools.
Developed to support a safe, skilled, and collaborative pipeline construction industry, these resources reflect PLCAC’s commitment to delivering practical value and advancing excellence across the sector.
Safety Programs
The Safety Program is guided by a standing Safety Committee of the PLCAC board of directors.
Safety Committee
This committee includes representatives from all areas of the PLCAC, including mainline, distribution, and maintenance and service. It functions to promote the development of various industry safety initiatives aimed at improving worker safety awareness and worksite processes.
The committee works closely with our union partners, energy clients, industry associations and various regulatory bodies on matters that impact our industry. This committee also oversees the production of the PLCAC safety video series and is the liaison with Buildforce Canada on the distribution and administration of the Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST) program.
James L. Abraham Safety Performance Award of Excellence
Since 1997, the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada has recognized Member Companies that have distinguished themselves for exemplary safety performance each year.
These awards are known officially as the James L. Abraham Safety Performance Awards of Excellence.
These awards are based on the lowest lost time incident frequency rates in 6 categories, which are:
1. Mainline Pipeline Construction
2. Distribution Pipeline Construction
3. Maintenance and Service
4. Specialty Contractor – Transportation
5. Specialty Contractor – Other (over 20,000 person-hours)
6. Specialty Contractor – Other (under 20,000 person-hours)
Enhanced Learning Safety Video Series
The PLCAC is pleased to have produced 20 pipeline-specific videos to date in the Enhanced Learning Safety Video Series in collaboration between the PLCAC standing Safety Committee, our Contractors, and the Canadian Pipeline Advisory Council (CPAC).
The Enhanced Learning Safety Videos are based on real accidents that occurred at our Regular Member job sites. These videos clearly demonstrate all lessons learned from these events.
We are convinced that these videos, when shared with frontline workers and supervisors, will prevent such serious incidents in the future.
All videos have been circulated to PLCAC Regular Members, our Union Partners, and Clients, and we encourage you to send them to your entire workforce to help educate everyone on specific safe procedures and help achieve a safer work environment.
Links
Video Series Recap: Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility
PLCAC Driving Incident
PLCAC Excavation Incident
PLCAC Electrocution Incident
PLCAC Mental Health Awareness: General Summary
PLCAC Mental Health Awareness: Suicide Prevention
PLCAC Mental Health Awareness: PTSD
PLCAC Mental Health Awareness: Anxiety & Depression
PLCAC Mental Health Awareness: Substance Abuse
Welding Shack Incident Video
Sideboom Incident Video
Rollover Incident Video
Crossbore Incident Video
Sandblasting Incident Video
Re-Fuelling Incident Video
Powerline Contact Incident
Grinder Incident
Environmental Best Practices
Hook Incident
Hand Incident
Electrocution Incident
Safety Awards Program
(James L. Abraham Safety Performance Awards of Excellence)
The PLCAC recognizes member companies who have distinguished themselves with exemplary safety performance and safety records through the James L. Abraham Safety Performance Award of Excellence program. These awards are based on lowest lost time incidents (LTI) frequency rates. The winners for the 2025 year were announced at the 2026 convention in Maui, Hawaii.
Mainline Pipeline Construction
Michels Canada Co.
The following companies also had zero Lost Time Incidents (LTIs) in this category (but worked less hours):
Aecon and OJB Energy Solutions
Distribution Pipeline Construction
NPL Canada Ltd
The following companies also had zero Lost Time Incidents (LTIs) in this category (but worked less hours):
Robert B. Somerville Co. Limited, Aecon and T.W. Johnstone Company Limited
Pipeline Maintenance & Service
Robert B. Somerville Co. Limited
The following companies also had zero Lost Time Incidents (LTIs) in this category (but worked less hours):
Aecon, NPL Canada Ltd. and OJB Energy Solutions
Specialty Contractor – Transportation
Premay Pipeline Hauling L.P.
The following company also had zero Lost Time Incidents (LTIs) in this category (but worked less hours):
2XL Transport Ltd.
Specialty Contractor (HDD) – Pipeline Construction
(over 20,000 Hours)
Aecon
The following companies also had zero Lost Time Incidents (LTIs) in this category (but worked less hours):
Glacier Blasting, McCaw’s Drilling & Blasting Ltd., Michels Canada Co., and Robert B. Somerville Co. Limited
Specialty Contractor (Hydrovac) – Pipeline Construction
(under 20,000 Hours)
TESTCO Western Ltd.
The following companies also had zero Lost Time Incidents (LTIs) in this category (but worked less hours):
Landshark Group, Lonestar Vacuum Inc. (A Division of Clean Harbours) and Allstream Waste Solutions Inc.
