Protecting Workers: Shapiro Administration Recognizes Northumberland County Employer for Exceptional Commitment to Workplace Safety, Marks Milestone of 1.6 Million Workers Protected Under Certified Workplace Safety Committee Program

Secretary Walker presented Zartman with a 2025 Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence (GASE), recognizing the company’s strong safety culture, proactive risk management, and deep employee engagement.

“Across Pennsylvania, employers are demonstrating how thoughtful planning and real collaboration can prevent workplace injuries,” said Secretary Walker. “Zartman Construction is a powerful example of what it looks like when safety becomes part of a company’s identity. Their consistency, preparation, and respect for the workers who bring each project to life show how a safety-first approach benefits both people and the business as a whole.”

"Our entire team has put forth a tremendous effort to make our job sites a safe place. Construction is unique as every job site is different. At times conditions will change hourly. Anticipating, recognizing and learning from hazardous conditions has been key," said David Zartman, P.E., President of Zartman Construction, Inc."Everyone deserves to go home to family in the same condition they came to work in. We are honored to be recognized for our efforts."

Headquartered in Northumberland, Zartman Construction, Inc. is a full-service general contractor with 102 employees. The company has logged more than 1.1 million hours without a lost time claim, reflecting a deep, organization-wide emphasis on prevention and a steady downward trend in injury rates. Zartman maintains a certified workplace safety committee that plays an active role in both planning and daily operations, ensuring safety is integrated into every stage of a project.

Zartman’s approach to safety is grounded in decades of internal leadership, employee involvement, and a willingness to evolve as new technologies and best practices emerge. The company’s certified workplace safety committee provides structure and guidance for safety initiatives, but ownership of safety is shared across every team on every job site.

Among the standout practices that earned Zartman statewide recognition are the following:

• 3D site modeling used to assess risks associated with critical operations and to guide hazard abatement;
• Emergency-ready hardhats that can be scanned to provide personal and medical information to responders;
• A deeply rooted behavior-based safety system that helps reinforce consistent safety habits, contributes to low turnover, and was clearly observed during the on-site visit;
• A long-standing certified workplace safety committee that has passed two state audits over several decades and serves as a strategic partner in pre-operational project planning;
• Substantial investment in modern safety technology, including the JJ Keller Safety Suite for training, incident management, and cross-training for employees at all levels; and
• Employee and leadership incentive programs, including the Safe Super Award for supervisors and the peer-nominated “Nailed It” award recognizing strong safety behaviors.

Since 1997, the Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence has highlighted employers with exemplary safety programs that reduce injuries, strengthen partnerships between management and workers, and advance workplace safety across Pennsylvania.

L&I supports safety throughout the Commonwealth through programs such as certified workplace safety committees and the Pennsylvania Training for Health and Safety (PATHS) program. The PATHS program provides free, customizable safety training to employers, reaching more than 35,000 participants annually.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

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