A Safety State of Mind

As the summer moves along and our crews march onto new jobsites, there is one very important aspect all jobs — from simple pipe installation to large plant construction — have in common. SAFETY! Safety is as constant as our work days are long, and it is the responsibility of every worker on the jobsite. There can be no cut corners or quick fixes. If you play safety like a game, you could end up losing your life. It’s a serious topic that demands serious respect when you’re working around trenches, equipment and other dangerous jobsite necessities.

That’s why safety is the major focus of our July issue of Utility Contractor. Leaf through the pages and you’ll see our salute to the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) William H. Feather Safety Award winners on page 20. These are NUCA members who have an outstanding safety track record. They are a great inspiration to all of us in the utility construction industry and set a level of excellence we should all strive toward. Then flip over to page 26 to read about how trench shoring can keep your guys in the trenches safe.

We all know that safety is important, but it can be a real challenge making safety a part of your company’s culture. Know that you are not alone in your crusade to get your crew into a safety state of mind. NUCA is a treasure chest of safety resources — from its regular Safety Newsletter to its Toolbox Talks and safety training programs. George Kennedy, a name you may know from the pages of UC (check out his safety article on page 34), is a certified safety profession (CSP) and NUCA’s full-time Vice President of Safety. George and other NUCA-approved instructors across the country are available to NUCA members and nonmembers alike to provide excavation safety, competent person and confined space entry training.

If that isn’t enough, NUCA also keeps you abreast of the latest regulations and compliance issues at OSHA, DOT and EPA. And because language shouldn’t be a barrier to safety, NUCA also makes many of its safety products and services available in Spanish.

Let’s not forget about the Safety Directors Forum (SDF). Every year, the SDF meets to talk safety. While this year’s topics have not all been chosen, word on the NUCA streets is that the topics will include: AC pipe handling and removal; OSHA update and future plans for enforcement, compliance assistance and new rules and regulations; there’s a chance the crane standard, which OSHA claims will be released in July, will be discussed; and damage prevention, just to name a few possible topics.

I spoke with George about the event and he said, “It is the only place that safety directors and employers can get together with their peers to discuss and share underground construction and excavation safety. We are also planning to follow the two-day meeting with a half-day Safety and Damage Prevention Committee meeting. All are welcome to attend.” I personally have attended these programs and can’t say enough about the information and tools that one receives when attending. Not only are the programs relevant and informative, but you have the opportunity to network with your safety peers from across the country.

A successful safety program is a critical element in protecting your employees’ wellbeing. If you’re looking to overhaul your program or maybe refine certain areas of it, NUCA and the SDF are great places to start harvesting ideas. This year’s Safety Directors Forum will meet Oct. 26-28 in Las Vegas. For more info, check out the NUCA Web site at www.nuca.com.

We all want to enjoy the fun and productive days of summer and beyond, so let’s do our part to keep safety in the forefront of our minds.

Stay Safe,

     Dan East
     NUCA Chairman of the Board