EC Electric Sets Safety Benchmark with Prestigious Highwire Gold Award

PORTLAND, Ore. – January 06, 2026 – In an industry where risk is a daily reality, EC Electric has distinguished itself by earning the Highwire Gold Safety Award, a recognition that places the company in the top tier of contractors for its commitment to workplace safety. The award validates the firm's rigorous safety protocols and proactive culture at a pivotal moment of national expansion, setting a benchmark for the broader construction and electrical sectors.

The honor is granted by Highwire, a leading third-party risk management platform, to companies that demonstrate superior performance in its comprehensive Safety Assessment Program. This achievement is not merely a plaque on the wall; it signifies a deep-seated commitment to protecting the workforce and represents a strategic advantage in a competitive market.

"This achievement underscores the commitment of our entire team to making safety a core value in everything we do," said Amanda Davies, Corporate Safety Director at EC Electric. This sentiment reflects a company-wide philosophy that integrates safety into every aspect of its operations, from project planning to execution.

Setting the Gold Standard in Safety

The Highwire Gold Safety Award is reserved for contractors who score between 85% and 94% in a meticulous evaluation, a feat achieved by less than 20% of the more than 50,000 companies on the Highwire platform. The assessment, which has roots in a program originally developed at Harvard University, goes far beyond basic compliance checks. It provides an objective, data-driven analysis of a company's safety management systems and performance.

Highwire's methodology scrutinizes key performance indicators (KPIs) that are critical in predicting a contractor's safety outcomes. These include lagging indicators like the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), the Days Away, Restricted or Transferred (DART) rate, and the Experience Modification Rating (EMR), which measures past workers' compensation claims. By normalizing this data across different company sizes and work types, Highwire creates a level playing field for comparison, ensuring that the Gold Safety Award genuinely reflects excellence.

According to safety risk management experts, this kind of third-party validation is invaluable. It serves as a reliable predictor of future performance, giving project owners and general contractors confidence that they are partnering with a firm that has a proven, robust safety framework. Achieving this status signals that a contractor is not just meeting standards but is actively building a culture where safety drives operational success.

A Culture of Prevention in a High-Risk Industry

EC Electric's achievement is particularly significant when viewed against the backdrop of the construction industry's safety statistics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the construction sector consistently reports one of the highest fatality rates of any industry, with 1,056 fatal accidents in 2022 alone. Falls, struck-by incidents, and electrocutions remain persistent dangers. In 2023, electrical contractors reported a total recordable case rate of 2.0 per 100 full-time workers, highlighting the inherent risks involved in the trade.

Against these stark figures, EC Electric's safety record stands out. The Highwire award is the latest in a series of accolades affirming its commitment. The company has also been honored with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Zero Injuries & Safety Excellence Award, a distinction reserved for firms with zero recordable injuries. Furthermore, it has consistently received Platinum or Gold level STEP (Safety Training and Evaluation Process) Awards from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and OSHA since 1999.

This sustained success is built on a comprehensive internal safety program. The company's "health and safety first" culture is supported by tangible actions, including rigorous training seminars on First Aid/CPR, NFPA 70E electrical safety standards, and various OSHA regulations. Weekly "toolbox talks" reinforce critical procedures on every job site, while independent safety audits and involvement in Workers' Compensation reviews ensure continuous improvement. For high-risk tasks, mandatory use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and strict adherence to protocols like Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) are non-negotiable.

Safety as a Strategic Pillar for National Growth

For EC Electric, this proven commitment to safety is more than an ethical obligation; it is a core component of its business strategy. The award comes as the company is expanding its national footprint as part of the E-J Group, an acquisition that enables it to deliver its expertise to clients across the United States. In this context, a verifiable, top-tier safety record becomes a powerful competitive differentiator.

Project owners and developers are increasingly sophisticated in their risk management, seeking partners who can ensure project continuity and protect all stakeholders. A third-party validation like the Highwire Gold Safety Award de-risks the selection process, signaling that a contractor has the management systems in place to deliver successful outcomes safely and reliably. Industry analysts note that companies with such distinguished safety records often benefit from tangible financial advantages, including potentially lower insurance premiums for workers' compensation and general liability.

By embedding safety into its operational DNA, EC Electric builds trust and assures clients that the same standards of quality and care will be applied consistently, whether the project is in its home state of Oregon or across the country. This reputation for reliability is crucial for securing large-scale commercial, industrial, and government contracts, where safety performance is a critical factor in the bidding and selection process. Ultimately, a strong safety culture contributes to superior project outcomes, increased financial stability, and sustained business growth.

This approach represents a shift in the industry, moving away from viewing safety as a cost center and toward recognizing it as a driver of excellence and long-term viability. As EC Electric continues its national expansion, its award-winning safety culture will serve as both a shield for its workers and a beacon for potential clients seeking a dependable, high-performing partner.