For the most part, public works crews only get recognition after they've cleared snow from roads.

And they're more likely to hear complaints they didn't do it quickly enough.

But four members of West Manchester Township's public works department won accolades Thursday when they were named the overall champions of a safety competition.

The competition was held during the Central Pennsylvania Safety Day conference, put on by Pennsylvania One Call, at the York Expo Center.

Pennsylvania One Call aims at promoting safety and preventing damage to underground utilities by encouraging people to call before they dig.

Municipal crews and private excavators attended the conference, and nine teams took part in the competition, said Wendy Boutilier, finance director and safety coordinator for West Manchester Township.

Competitors had to showcase their skills in four work-related scenarios.

The team: West Manchester's team included Dave Wire, Aaron Estep, Matt Miller and Chad Richter, said Steve Callahan, the township public works director.

One competition saw participates use the rear bucket of a backhoe to move rings from one place to another as a second team member guided the operator. In another, competitors had to find 14 safety violations in a picture of a work site.

Plow drivers were pitted against one another when they had to navigate a dump truck with a snowplow attached through an obstacle course.

And in the fourth competition, participants had to dress in safety gear and start a chainsaw.

All the events were timed, Callahan said.

This was the first year that West Manchester's public works department took part in the competition.

For their efforts, the four members took home a plaque for the township.

While participants learned about safety during the conference and competitions, it was a chance to build up teamwork, Callahan said.

"It was a good chance to build up their public work camaraderie," he said.

-- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.