Boston, MA Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston,  received the Diamond Safety, Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) Award from the Massachusetts Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) at the 11^th Annual Gould Construction Institute (GCI) Safety & Education Dinner. The Diamond STEP Award represents the highest level of recognition awarded by ABC and a benchmark standard for safety. Kaplan has received the STEP Award annually since 1998 and has been awarded the highest level of recognition in the program for ten years in a row. The firm has previously received the National Safety Merit Award. In addition, as founding members of the Associated Builders and Contractors Massachusetts Chapter Workers’ Compensation Self-Insured Group, Inc., Kaplan has been proactive in developing and enforcing a comprehensive and effective safety program. "Safeguarding the health and welfare of our employees, subcontractors, and site visitors is one of our highest priorities,” said Nate Peck, president of Kaplan Construction. “Maintaining accident-free construction operations is not only our primary concern, but it is our utmost responsibility as contractors. Our safety record demonstrates our commitment to safety first, with zero lost-time in the last six years and an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) average of 0.89.” The STEP Awards are presented annually to ABC member companies with exceptional safety records, and this year’s applicant pool was fiercely competitive. Applicants are critiqued on a number of statistical factors such as incident rates, lost time and OSHA recordables combined with a safety audit consisting of 20 key components. GCI is the training affiliate of the Massachusetts Chapter of ABC.