Michael Lewis
Special to Ontario Construction News
For Rutherford Contracting Ltd., prevention is more than a slogan. It has been central to the Aurora-based company since its founding in 1971 to provide landscaping, grass cutting, and snow plowing services for schools, churches, and other organizations.
As it grew into a major general contractor serving Ontario’s industrial, institutional, commercial, and civil sectors, the company earned a reputation as a safety pioneer, receiving multiple industry awards and recognitions along the way.
The latest nod is from the Ontario General Contractors Association, which in 2025 named Rutherford as a Milestone Award winner for achieving more than 2.1 million consecutive injury-free hours on site.
Across millions of hours on dozens of projects, including the Memorial Square/Meridian Place outdoor plaza in downtown Barrie, and with hundreds of workers on site at times, not a single lost-time injury occurred.
“This award belongs to everyone who showed up, spoke up, and kept each other safe,” said vice president of organizational development Alexander Chalmers, adding that the company takes pride in protecting its employees and on-site visitors.
“We’re grateful for every person who helped us get here.”
With roots in North York and at a construction yard in Markham, the company says its Health and Safety Program has evolved to meet and exceed regulatory standards.
Rutherford on its website said its planning, training, and ongoing risk assessments encourage everyone from project managers to field workers to identify and address potential hazards. Rutherford also says it provides top quality personal protective equipment and fall protection systems.
Chalmers said the Milestone Award acknowledges years of safe work practices over shortcuts, “We are a team that cares for one another, always helping our colleagues in need to ensure the job gets done safely.”
Rutherford in 2017 became one of the first Ontario contractors to achieve the Certificate of Recognition from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association, validating its policies, record-keeping, and auditing.
The recognition also affirms the company’s safety practices are in line with provincial initiatives such as Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers Health and Safety Excellence Program, and the Stages of Health and Safety Excellence Program.
Rutherford has also received the Ontario General Contractors Association Doug Chalmers Award for Safety Leadership as well as the Distinguished Achievement in Health and Safety Award for more than one million hours worked without injury (2008-2020.)
“We view safety as a moral obligation and a key factor in project success,” the company says.
Rutherford safety program pillars:
- Comprehensive planning: Every project has a tailored plan outlining procedures, hazard mitigation, and emergency response protocols.
- Continuous training: Workers receive ongoing safety education, from general awareness to specialized certifications.
- Inspections: Regular site inspections identify potential risks and ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Communication: The company encourages reporting near misses and fosters a workplace where anyone can raise safety concerns without hesitation.
- Technology investment: Rutherford uses safety technologies, including wearable sensors and data analytics tools, to manage risks proactively.
- Client partnership: The company collaborates with clients to integrate safety protocols to ensure alignment throughout the project.
- Community safety: The company takes steps to secure jobsites and protect the public.
