The Cobb County Department of Transportation’s Road Maintenance Division has snagged some high honors at the Georgia Utilities Coordinating Council’s annual meet-up down in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Not only did they take home the Golden Backhoe Award, but they also scooped up the Lester E. Feathers Damage Prevention Award – a double whammy of recognition for their top-notch safety game.

Presented at the GUCC conference, which prides itself on pushing for safer digging practices all over Georgia, these awards are a big deal. According to Cobb County’s announcement, the Road Maintenance Division stood out in Region 7, showing other utility agencies how it's done when it comes to safety at the job.

“Being recognized with the 'Lester Feathers' Award holds immense significance for both myself and my team,” Dallas Cain, the Road Maintenance Division Manager, shared with pride. “This recognition highlights our unwavering dedication to promoting good safe digging practices, a fundamental aspect of our operations.” Cain's team's commitment to digging without a hand of doom hovering over them hasn't gone unnoticed.

Utility providers throw their hats in the ring for these awards each year, hoping to get a nod from the GUCC Safety Committee. They weigh a bunch of factors like safety record, number of oopsies with the equipment, and other job stuff. And when you get it right, like the Cobb County Road Maintenance Division, it's not just about the pat on the back. “Receiving these awards not only acknowledges our accomplishments but also motivates us to continue striving for excellence in safety practices," Cain remarked. The awards light a fire under the team to double down on creating a safety-first culture.