The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has announced the winners of the 20th annual NAHB/Builders Mutual Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE), which recognizes significant achievements in safety and health within the residential construction industry. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show.
The SAFE Awards are unique in the home building sector as they highlight professionals who have successfully promoted safety, including mental health advocacy, across their organizations.
“Ensuring the safety of our teams and all of those who work in the residential construction industry is of the utmost importance,” said Tim Williams, chairman of NAHB’s Construction Safety, Health and Labor Committee. “We are proud to honor this year’s SAFE awards winners for promoting a culture of safety on the jobsite and for being leaders in the field by demonstrating a superior commitment to safe work practices.”
Mike Gerber, President and CEO of Builders Mutual, added: “Nothing is more important to us than promoting a culture of safety across the construction industry. We work tirelessly to ensure anyone who steps foot on a job-site goes home safely at the end of the day. We are proud to once again be part of this important program and thrilled to honor these leaders for all they do to protect workers in our industry.”
This year’s SAFE Awards recognized both individuals and companies across various categories:
- Leadership in Construction Safety: Erik Anderson – The Job-Site Safety Institute (Winston-Salem, NC)
- Job-Site Safety Institute Innovative Safety Idea of the Year: Kool Kapz Headwear – Kool Kapz (Lincoln, NE)
- Single-Family Builder Safety Program (11–100 Home Starts Per Year): Sea-Dar Construction (Boston, MA)
- Multi-Family Builder Safety Program (<50 Employees): Jim Chapman Construction Group (Atlanta, GA)
- Multi-Family Builder Safety Program (>50 Employees): Fortune-Johnson (Peachtree Corners, GA)
- Remodeler Safety Program (<50 Employees): Crossbeam Builders LLC. (Salt Lake City, UT)
- Remodeler Safety Program (>50 Employees): Sea-Dar Construction (Boston, MA)
- Associate Member Safety Program (<50 Employees): 3/8 and Co. (Sarasota, FL)
- Specialty Trade Contractor Safety Program (>50 Employees): Comer Construction Inc. (Forest Hill, MD)
- NAHB State or Local Association Safety Program: Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire (Sioux Falls, SD)
- NAHB Student Chapter Safety Program—Community Colleges: Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids, IA)
- NAHB Student Chapter Safety Program—Universities: Brigham Young University–Idaho (Rexburg, ID)
The National Association of Home Builders functions as a trade association supporting professionals in residential construction through advocacy efforts and resources such as education and networking opportunities designed to foster business success according to its official website. It maintains a national network that connects members throughout the country and aids local associations.
In addition to recognizing excellence through awards like SAFE the organization provides tools for professional development, hosts events aimed at connecting industry professionals and supports policies that promote affordability and innovation within home building.
