SKOKIE, Ill.--The Portland Cement Association (PCA) recognized four cement facilities with 2013 PCA Safety Innovation Awards.

The Safety Innovation Awards honor innovative projects that achieve the objectives of PCA’s Occupational Health and Safety Committee: to recognize and reward creative projects in the portland cement industry; to communicate these ideas to North American cement manufacturers; and to elevate the importance of innovative solutions to safety challenges in the portland cement industry.

Cement Americas magazine, a co-sponsor of the awards, features the winning plants and their projects in an upcoming issue. The Cement Association of Canada also was an award sponsor.

The plants honored were:

• Buzzi Unicem USA, Cape Girardeau, Mo.--Mill and grinding
• National Cement Company, Ragland, Ala.--General facility
• GCC of America, Tijeras, N.M.--General facility
• Ash Grove Cement Company, Leamington, Utah--General facility

“Employees at these facilities have taken the time to look at a situation and figure out a way to make it better.  Their work to continuously improve safety and health conditions sets a high standard for safety and health protection through the year,” said Greg Scott, PCA president and CEO.

About PCA
Based in Washington, D.C., with offices in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.