July 2009: Feature Story

NUCA 2008 William H. Feather Safety Awards
Recognizing a Commitment to Safety within the Utility Contracting Industry
By Jason Morgan

Contracting is not an easy job. Each day is full of potential pitfalls — both in productivity and worker safety. When it comes to getting the job done quickly or getting the job done safely, there’s no choice — safety is paramount. Every utility contractor knows the importance of safety, and he or she implements rules and regulations on the jobsite to keep his or her crews safe day to day.

To recognize the companies that strive for safety and the general well-being of their employees, the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) awards six companies with the William H. Feather Safety Award. Who is William H. Feather you ask? He was the first chairman of the Safety Committee and widely regarded as the backbone of NUCA’s early safety initiatives. He was honored for his many contributions to the association in 1976, when he was named Ditchdigger of the Year. His premature passing led NUCA to search for some additional way to commemorate his passion for safety. So, at NUCA’s 1978 convention in New Orleans, a new award was created to recognize those contractors that exemplify Mr. Feather’s commitment to a safe workplace.

The awards are given to companies based on incidence rate (OSHA 300 log), company safety statement and company safety program information. Participation in NUCA safety programs and activities is also taken into consideration. The 2008 William H. Feather Safety awards were given out at the NUCA Washington Summit and Board Meeting. And the winners are…

0 to 100,000 Man-hours
Raymow Construction Co., Inc.
Oldsmar, Fla.

Raymow is a medium-sized site and utility construction company serving the Tampa Bay, Fla., area. From the beginning, the company has prided itself on providing the best quality finished product within the agreed schedule completion time.

Shortly after opening for business, the company joined the Suncoast Utility Contractors Association (SUCA), as well as the Underground Utility Contractors of Florida (UUCF) and NUCA. From there, Raymow began to focus on its safety program with the help of materials like NUCA’s “Pocket Safety Guide,” Competent Person Training and Toolbox Talks, says Bud Bradley, Founder and President of Raymow Construction.

While safe equipment operations, pipe and product installation came naturally from the start, Raymow and its employees needed to set its sights on employees’ individual safety.

Tim Haechten presents safety award trophies at Foremost’s 2009 Annual Team Safety Training Two Days Program.

“We had to work on the importance of basic jobsite safety apparel and personal protection equipment such as hard sole shoes, long pants, sleeves on shirts, hard hats, gloves, ear plugs, safety vests and safety glasses,” says Bradley. “You have to talk about [safety]. Being safe doesn’t just happen, it takes work. Talk with your employees and meet regularly to discuss current safety issues. Listen to their concerns and give them the tools they need to be successful.”

To continue to maintain a safe work environment, Raymow still utilizes publications, reports, tapes and DVDs from NUCA, as well as SUCA and UUCF. Bradley notes that the literature the company receives from NUCA is invaluable and easy to understand since it is user-friendly and tailored to the industry.

Raymow takes pride in its safety record and being honored by NUCA reaffirms that the company is moving in the right direction toward continued jobsite safety.

100,001 to 300,000 Man-hours
DeKalb Pipeline Co.
Conyers, Ga.

DeKalb Pipeline Co. was started in 1960. When James King Jr., now the President, took over the day-to-day operations, he knew that getting a safety program started was going to be one of the major hurdles. “At that point in time, safety wasn’t at the forefront of everyone’s business. I knew that it needed to be, so I felt I needed to make that a priority,” says King. “Metro Atlanta was having numerous trench fatalities, and the underground utility industry was getting a black eye. It was very difficult getting the employees to understand the importance of safety. We had to start slow and work to where we are today. All the hard work has definitely paid off.”

NUCA provided a wealth of training and the ability to network with other contractors within safety forums. DeKalb’s success is thanks in large part to its safety-minded employees. DeKalb has been accident free for 10 years — a monumental achievement. Despite its immaculate record, DeKalb knows that it can’t rest on its laurels. King believes that employees need to continually look out for themselves and others. “Always pay attention to your surroundings, if you are in doubt, stop and ask. If something is wrong, make sure to take the time to fix whatever is creating the unsafe environment,” King recommends.

300,001 to 500,000 Man-hours
Foremost Pipeline Construction Co.
Gaston, S.C.

Foremost Pipeline Construction Co. was started in 1965 with about six to seven people doing distribution pipeline work in South Carolina. The work was there, and hard working people could accomplish quite a bit if they were willing. The company has grown steadily since then, with around 40 three- to five-men crews working every day and on larger projects 10 to 50 people.

“I think the key to our safety record begins with a management team that is serious about safety, a good safety team and safety program and, most importantly, our people in the field have bought into a safety culture and really watch out for each other,” says Tim Haechten, Division Manager for Foremost. “I think NUCA is one of the most safety oriented organizations I’ve been involved with. I constantly read and study its publications for any ideas to put into effect here at Foremost.”

Foremost’s formula for success revolves around these five key jobsite safety points:

• Management has to be involved and committed to safety above profit.
  
• Foremen have to be committed to the safety culture and be willing to put the program into effect daily.
  
• Jobsite evaluations have to be performed and adhered to.
  
• Observation cards must be available and utilized to convince every employee that they have the right to stop unsafe acts on the jobsite.
  
• Recognition — employees need to be recognized for their commitment to safety.

500,001-plus Man-hours
MWH Constructors Inc.
Broomfield, Colo.

Established in 1993, MWH Constructors Inc. is a licensed, bonded general contractor and wholly-owned subsidiary of MWH Global Inc. While MWH Constructors Inc. has had many proud achievements, one recent project that stands out is the Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group (A/DACG) Phase 2 project in Colorado Springs, Colo. The work MWH performed on this project consisted of the construction of an approximately 62,000-sq ft ADACG building, a military version of an airport passenger terminal capable of processing 1,200 military personnel at one time, and construction of an approximately 17,000-sq ft individual ready company building capable of providing a marshalling area for a combat team and its basic load in preparation of moving out on a moment’s notice to
any location.

“Since mobilization in April 2007, a lost work day case incident rate of zero was recorded through November 2008,” says Rick Shassetz, Director of Environment, Health and Safety for MWH Constructors Inc. “In 2008 alone, the MWH project safety record amounted to 334 consecutive days and 116,912 exposure hours without one lost work day incident or occupational safety and health recordable incident.

“Our outstanding safety record for this project was achieved in part through implementing the three A’s of safety. The first “A” is Attitude — each worker needs to have concern for their own safety and the safety of their co-workers. The second “A” is Awareness — each worker must be aware of hazards around them and the means to eliminate/control such hazards.

The third and final “A” is Action — combining attitude and awareness to take necessary action to prevent unsafe acts and conditions. Each employee was empowered to take a proactive stance on safety.”

1-million-plus Man-hours
J.F. Ahern Co.
Fond Du Lac, Wisc.

J. F. Ahern Co. began as a small steam heat and plumbing shop in 1880. Today, the company employs over 1,000 people, on projects from several thousand dollars to over 20 million. Despite its size, J. F. Ahern keeps its numerous jobsites safe.

“Safety is not just a priority, it is a value at J. F. Ahern Co.,” says Mike Schultz, Director of Safety at J.F. Ahern Co. “Working safely is part of our culture and though we have many safety initiatives and projects throughout the year to improve our safety program, none can be attributed to our success as much as the overall safety culture of the company. From the CEO, through all levels of management, to the employee in the field, safety at Ahern is supported as the most important aspect of our daily activities.”

J.F. Ahern Co. uses the NUCA training programs for Competent Person training. The company has seven-person staff, five of whom are safety professionals. All five are certified instructors for the NUCA programs.

“I challenge you to find another company in the country with those credentials,” says Schultz. “We train every field employee that can be expected to work in and around confined spaces and trenches every three years. Each employee we hire and train is expected to be a Competent Person for those particular hazards.

Project managers and department managers are also trained using these programs, depending on the departments in which they work. Giving these employees this level of knowledge allows for flexibility when choosing work crews and eases the mind knowing that the knowledge is present on the job not just in the safety department.”

Overall
A.E. Bragger Construction Co. Inc.
Warwick, R.I.

A.E. Bragger was founded in 1927 by the late Albert E. Bragger Sr. who retired in 1957 and was taken over by Albert E. “Ted” Bragger Jr., 1994 NUCA President, and his brother, Bill. Upon Bill’s death in 1978, Ted took over the operations and then brought in son Mark to assist. In 2001, the fourth generation joined the company. Virginia (Bragger) DiCristofaro, Mark’s daughter and a NUCA Vice President for the past three years, came aboard to begin a new era at A.E. Bragger Construction Co.

Over the last few years, A.E. Bragger has engaged in more toolbox talks, in addition to its ongoing safety training.

It is important to A.E. Bragger that a level of safe operations, fire protection and health stays consistent with OSHA regulations and nationally-recognized standards to keep its employees safe. Its program is also intended to create a positive working relationship and proper attitudes toward injury and illness prevention between management and employees. Cooperation between management and its employees, as well as the employee and co-workers, is crucial in all safety and health matters.

A.E. Bragger has also relied on NUCA for direction in safety by attending the Confined Space and Excavation Safety/Competent Person Training programs.

“Being a small company, we still maintain the safety practices of a large company, providing toolbox talks, attending safety seminars put on by UCARI, OSHA and Dig Safe and other federal and state agencies,” says DiCristofaro. “This award is a testimony to the commitment to safety we and our employees have to safe and healthful work habits.”