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    Governor's Awards for Safety Excellence (GASE)

    Nominations are being accepted for the 2025 Governor's Awards for Safety Excellence (GASE) as of January 1, 2025.  

    Request for GASE Nomination Form

    Governor's Award for Safety Excellence (GASE)

    Video from Deputy Secretary Gerald Mullery


    Providing a safe work environment for Pennsylvania's workers requires commitment from employers and employees alike. The highly competitive Governor's Award for Safety Excellence (GASE) recognizes outstanding workplace safety programs and the superior management/employee collaborations that make these programs so successful.

    Any Pennsylvania employer can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party. Nominations are accepted from January 1st through May 1st of the current calendar year.

    The initial review of all nominations is conducted by the GASE Review Committee. Information and criteria used to determine semi-finalists include:

    • Injuries and illnesses rates vs. same-industry rates
    • Reduction in workers’ compensation costs
    • Safety program innovation
    • Strategic development of safety policy and approaches
    • Joint safety program in place
    • Cooperative labor/management effort - teamwork

    Semi-finalists will be contacted for a virtual review of the nominee’s comprehensive safety program. Following the virtual review, the committee will determine who is eligible for an on-site tour. Site visit reports are used to determine finalists. Recommendations are then forwarded to the Secretary of Labor & Industry who makes the final determination.

    Awards are presented by representatives of the Department of Labor & Industry at the organization's workplace. Award winners receive a plaque to memorialize their achievements. Award winners are also acknowledged at the Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Conference in October.

    Valuable best practices from winning finalists are shared across the state.

    The GASE Review Committee is open right now and applications for 2025 nominations are now being ACCEPTED.

    • Use the Request for GASE Nomination Form and receive a link to the GASE Nomination Form and the GASE Nomination Worksheet.
    • Use the worksheet to gather your information and prepare your responses.
    • Copy and paste many of your collected responses from the worksheet to the nomination form.

    The GASE Review Committee looks forward to learning about your exemplary safety program and the unique efforts used to keep your employees healthy and safe!

    Questions? Contact the GASE Program Coordinator at RA-LIBWC-GASE@pa.gov or (717) 772-1917.​​

    2024 GASE Award Winners

    Chapman Corporation

    Chapman Corporation, headquartered in Washington, PA, has been a provider of civil, mechanical, and electrical construction services for industrial clients since 1945. In addition to construction, Chapman offers pipe and metal fabrication and engineering services, supporting comprehensive project needs. Founded by John W. Chapman and now led by his daughter, Joan Chapman, Chapman Corporation is known for its commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. 

     

     

     

    Labor & Industry poses for picture in front of Chapman Corp. building with staff and leadership holding 2024 GASE plaque.

    The company’s safety initiatives that earned its GASE recognition include: 

    • Zero Injury Award: Recognition from the National Maintenance Agreement for an exceptional injury-free record. 
    • DART Rate of Zero: Success in maintaining zero recordable workplace incidents. 
    • Over 1 Million Work Hours with No Lost-Time Injuries: A significant milestone achieved within the last three years, highlighting the effectiveness of Chapman's safety protocols. 
    • 3D Lift Plan: A dedicated, full-time role to virtually simulate anticipated lifts, ensuring no obstructions are present on-site before crane operations. 
    • Finish Strong Program: Designed to prevent complacency as projects near completion by:
      • Sharing best practices and safety issues across all worksites.
      • Conducting site-specific safety meetings. 
      • Providing additional toolbox talks. 
      • Increasing participation in the employee observation program. 
      • Preparing for project start-up and commissioning. 
      • Enhancing employee recognition for safety contributions. 

    Gettysburg Foundation

    The Gettysburg Foundation manages prominent historical sites in Pennsylvania, including the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, the Kinsley Leadership Center, and the Children of Gettysburg 1863 Museum. Hosting over 750,000 visitors annually, the Foundation’s dedication to safety ensures a secure environment for both employees and guests.

    Labor & Industry stands with Gettysburg Foundation leadership holding a 2024 GASE plaque in front of a billboard of a Civil War soldier.

    Key Achievements of the Gettysburg Foundation

    • Zero-incident rate: The Foundation has maintained a flawless safety record for over three years.
    • Risk management excellence: The Foundation’s experience modification factor, a key metric used in workers' compensation insurance to measure an organization’s safety performance compared to industry standards, of 0.817 highlights its outstanding commitment to workplace safety.
    • Innovative safety measures: Responding to employee feedback, the Foundation designed an exclusive evacuation route for staff, avoiding public areas and enhancing emergency preparedness.
    • Collaborative operations: The Foundation implemented unified safety approaches across all seven of their operational entities.
    • Active threat response: The Foundation proactively addresses active shooter concerns by developing and rehearsing emergency evacuation plans in collaboration with local first responders.