OVER 38 YEARS OF SETTING THE STANDARD FOR SAFETY EXCELLENCE

The Industry Business Roundtable® (IBR), established on July 19, 1973, promotes the interests of its member and subscriber companies — primarily asset owners and their contractors — across the energy, manufacturing, refining, chemical, and transportation sectors. As a 501(c)(6) non-profit association, IBR exists to keep its members informed on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, while fostering collaboration that drives improvement across industry.

IBR actively brings industry peers together to address key issues, develop impactful programs, and share strategies that support economic growth while reducing risk. Our mission is to share innovation and best practices that positively transform the industry and the communities where we work. Our vision is to be the association that collectively adds value to the industry, offering resources for continuous improvement.

For more than 38 years, IBR has remained at the forefront of promoting safety excellence across the industry. Each year, through the Safety Excellence Awards (SEA), we proudly recognize top safety and health performers among contractors and subcontractors throughout the Texas Gulf Coast region.

IBR’s commitment extends beyond simply awarding excellence. The true essence of the award process lies in fostering a collaborative learning environment. Participants gain valuable insights by observing other programs and exchanging their best practices. This environment of collective growth is made possible by the IBR Safety and Health Resource Committee, which thoughtfully develops and sustains the SEA program in partnership with the Health and Safety Council (HASC).

A key initiative supported by IBR is Safety Essentials, the industry-preferred Process Safety Management (PSM) contractor orientation. Developed by HASC to meet industry demand for a unified and reciprocal PSM training solution, Safety Essentials delivers a comprehensive suite of courses, including foundational training, an annual refresher, and a robust general safety library.

We take great pride in the unmatched rigor and integrity of the SEA process—an industry-leading model for recognizing safety excellence. Each year, SEA Teams identify the top-performing contractors and subcontractors from a competitive pool of nominees.

Led by Team Leaders from our Health and Safety Committee, and comprised of asset owners along with member and contractor company representatives, peer audit teams conduct detailed evaluations of finalist submissions. This collaborative process ensures that only the highest-performing companies rise to the top for recognition.

We celebrate the achievement of outstanding organizations each May at the Safety Excellence Awards Banquet, a premier industry event that honors the companies setting the standard for safety. There is no other recognition program or networking event in our industry with the depth, peer involvement, and credibility of the SEA process.

Any asset owner or contractor that works with a contractor or subcontractor is eligible to submit nominations. Nominees compete in categories such as General Contractors, Specialty Contractors (Hard Crafts, Soft Crafts, Environmental, and Technical Support), and Crane & Rigging Support. The process involves an initial evaluation to determine finalist eligibility and a final field audit. The previous year’s “Best in Class” winners serve as Mentors to assist current finalists. Awards are presented at various levels such as Gold, Silver, and Bronze, with only one company earning “Best in Class” recognition per category.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to raising the bar for safety performance and recognizing those who lead with integrity, innovation, and accountability. The SEA program is not just about honoring excellence—it’s about building a safer, stronger industry together. We thank all who contribute to this effort and look forward to building on this momentum as we drive safety performance and industry collaboration to even greater heights.