The Conveyor Spring Edition 2025 - Community/Safety
CHAIRMAN'S
Safety and community need to be our core values
PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE
Prioritizing safety and community helps build trust and social license
FEATURE STORY
Graniterock celebrates 125 years of building infrastructure and community
PHILANTHROPY
CalCIMA members give back to the community
SAFETY CONFERENCE
Springing into safety at CalCIMA’s Spring Thaw REFLECTION
Industry Spotlight: Tony Limas, a legendary career in construction
LEGISLATIVE FLY-IN
Lawmakers join CalCIMA for annual summit and member lobby day
SUSTAINABILITY
Caltrans begins new EPD program
SAFETY
Members promote concrete pump safety
TRAINING
National Ready Mixed Concrete Company - Supporting local communities through firefighter safety training
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NEWS
Safety and community need to be our core values
As competitive materials producers, we may not agree on all things. However, one common theme that I find resonating throughout the construction materials and essential minerals industries is a universal passion to send everyone home safe every day.
In my travels talking to workers and leaders across our industry, I hear them talk about safety as not just a priority, but a core value. When a value translates into operational excellence that is a strong advantage, and I repeatedly find examples where the connection between safety and production yields favorable outcomes. In this issue, you will find many examples of safe production, and I hope the stories help your organization further excel at sending everyone home safe every day.
Another theme in this issue is community. As readers know, without community support the right to operate and produce materials is not possible. And too often we face opponents employing baseless claims in opposition to new or expanded operations despite how essential our products are to community wellbeing. Hats off to the companies that go out of their way to host local officials and community members at plant
Call for Papers
tours. I am always pleased to learn how plant tour attendees become informed and more importantly, impressed at what our industry does at these community events. Please consider opening your operation up to local officials and other community leaders so they can become allies now when their support is needed in the future. We must remember that local elected officials often become Sacramento or DC legislators or regulators and having more informed allies in Sacramento only helps our cause. The CalCIMA staff is ready to help you organize and support a plant tour event.
Congratulations to Graniterock on its 125th anniversary – very few companies reach this milestone - and their story affirms the value of community in our business practices.
I want to thank Tony Limas for his leadership at CalCIMA. Tony played a vital role as we expanded our association services to support asphalt production. We are stronger as one voice representing all construction materials and essential minerals and Tony’s dedication paved the way for our early success representing the majority of asphalt production in the state. n
Dana Davis President - Teichert Materials CalCIMA Chairman
CalCIMA is now accepting proposals for our 2025 Education Conference. While we encourage submissions that reflect our theme, The Magic of Materials, and our focus on resilient building with non-combustible and durable materials, we also welcome presentations on a broad range of topics such as land use, environmental, technical, products, or business, etc. Papers are due by May 6, 2025.
PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE
Prioritizing safety and community helps build trust and social license
Many of our members have heard me say that we operate with a “social license.” We are critical and essential, not just for the human-built environment, but for a thriving economy. However, many of our stakeholders do not understand that.
“Social License to Operate” is the ongoing acceptance and approval of our operations by our stakeholders, from regulators, to employees and neighbors. It goes beyond regulatory permits, encompassing trust, legitimacy, and community support.
Our social license starts with our employees and their families. We can be proud of how seriously we take this. Safety first is not just a slogan—we commit every day to ensuring that our employees go home safely after a hard day's work. This commitment is reflected in every company in our Spring Thaw Safety Conferences, which emphasize training and accountability in safety. In the past 10 years, we have seen over 2,300 registrants at our Spring Thaws.
The second critical social license we rely upon is that of the communities in which we operate who play a key role in our entitlements and permit approvals. Many people, even those living near our operations, may not realize that the homes they live in, the streets they drive on, the businesses they depend on, and the consumer goods they purchase all rely on our ability to extract and process raw materials. When this disconnect grows, it can lead to challenges that threaten not just our operations but the very quality of life people seek.
Now more than ever, we must strengthen our community relationships. We live in divisive times, where misinformation and emotion-fueled rhetoric can create disruptive and unnecessary challenges for industries like ours. The best way
to counter this is through proactive engagement— investing in our communities, showing our value, and ensuring our industry remains strong.
Our operators are proud of their community contributions—whether supporting local schools, sponsoring youth sports, or helping those in need. They are essential to the broader business community, creating economic opportunities for all. But for too long, we have been quiet about our contributions. That must change.
It is our obligation to directly engage with and communicate with our communities. They expect us to contribute, and it is on us to show them how we do it. We know this commitment is ingrained in our industry and the people who work for us but we need to live our partnership with them “out loud.” We need to be finding the genuine needs of your community that you are uniquely qualified to serve and step up and serve them. It is an obligation that comes with the role we play in the communities we help build.
Every operation, every plant, and every community needs a champion of this social license. This critical role can be owned by operational managers, supervisors, or employees who understand how the community sees us. Someone who lives in the community we operate in. CalCIMA is proud to support these individuals with training, resources, and direct engagement to help them strengthen the bonds between our industry and the people we serve.
We have a strong story to tell, and we must tell it. By prioritizing safety, meaningful community relationships, and being proud of them, we can continue to build and maintain the trust and social license that allows our industry to thrive. n
Sincerely,
Robert Dugan President/CEO CalCIMA
Graniterock celebrates 125 years of building infrastructure and community
Industry leader for 125 years and counting
A collaboration between CalCIMA and Graniterock
Photos provided by Graniterock
From building critical infrastructure to driving economic growth, Graniterock has been a leading supplier in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area for high-quality aggregate, industrial sand, concrete, recycled aggregate, hot mix asphalt and other building materials for 125 years.
“We could not have reached this milestone anniversary without our customers and community
Graniterock
Est. 1900
Graniterock was founded on Feb. 14, 1900, as a granite quarry in Aromas by Arthur Roberts Wilson.
1910s
who have been loyal to Graniterock and helped us build the crucial infrastructure of our region,” said Graniterock's CEO Peter Lemon. “From the roads we drive on to the landmarks that define our communities, Graniterock’s dedication to quality and service has and will stand the test of time.”
Graniterock has a huge impact on the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s difficult to point out any part of the San Francisco Bay Area
1920s
Porter Steam Locomotive & Steam Shovel
Graniterock purchased a narrow-gauge Porter steam locomotive to move rock from the quarry face to the crusher. The steam shovel loaded the rock into wood rail cars.
First Highway Paver & Road Construction
Graniterock bought its first highway paver so the company could complete the job of building Highway 129 through Chittenden Pass outside of Watsonville.
that doesn’t have Graniterock aggregate, concrete or asphalt. Its materials can be found in:
• Nearly every highway throughout the San Francisco Bay Area
• San Francisco International Airport
• San Jose Mineta International Airport
• Google campus
• Apple campus
1930s
Great Depression Struggles
Faced with the death of A.R. Wilson in 1929 and the Great Depression, Graniterock struggled. However, Graniterock people worked hard to keep the company alive.
The mid-1930s were some of the toughest in the company’s history with barely enough work to keep the doors open.
1940s-1950s
Postwar Growth & Female Leadership
Growth and expansion marked the 1940s and 1950s, and new materials and equipment were needed to meet construction demands of the San Francisco Bay Area. When Anna Wilson retired in 1952, her daughter Betsy Woolpert took over as Graniterock president.
• PayPal campus
• Stanford University
• Bay Area Rapid Transit “BART”
The company is not only a cornerstone of the Central Coast when it comes to construction, but continues to serve the community through long-standing partnerships with community organizations, local event sponsorships and employee volunteerism. Some of Graniterock’s community events include the River Run at Southside Sand and Gravel,
Rock & Run at the A.R. Wilson Quarry, Quail Hollow Open House & Fundraiser, and tech talks, to name a few.
“Graniterock believes building strong communities goes hand in hand with building strong infrastructure. Our team is committed to giving back, whether it's through volunteer work, supporting local schools or partnering with community organizations,” said Keith Severson, Graniterock's Community Involvement Director. “It's been incredible to
Below: Graniterock’s materials can be found in infrastructure all over the San Francisco Bay Area, including the San Francisco International Airport and San Jose Mineta International Airport.
1960s-1970s
Asphalt Plant Expansion
Graniterock acquired a new asphalt plant in Redwood City and other investments in plants and equipment were made at the company.
1980s New CEO, Construction Group Relaunch
Betsy’s son Bruce W. Woolpert took over as president and CEO and re-started Graniterock’s Construction Group, then called Pavex.
1990s National Recognition for Quality
The U.S. Department of Commerce named Graniterock a winner of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in December 1992.
2010s Leadership Transition
Upon Bruce W. Woolpert’s unexpected death in 2012, the Company’s leadership was passed to Tom Squeri, Graniterock’s general counsel who served as president and CEO until 2023. Peter Lemon becomes new CEO.
Today Family-Owned Legacy
Graniterock remains family-owned and operates with a team of more than 900 team members, serving customers across Northern California.
Graniterock was founded in 1900 by A.R. Wilson and produces aggregate, concrete and asphalt. Its products are used throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
see the impact we've made over the years, and we're just getting started. Being named San Benito County’s Volunteer of the Year in 2024 was a personal honor, but it’s really a reflection of the culture of care that runs through this company. Graniterock will always be here to help our communities thrive."
“Graniterock’s commitment to building strong communities, investing in our people and delivering high-quality construction materials will continue to drive us forward,” said Shanna Crigger, Graniterock’s Communications
Director. “Sustainability, community and supporting the next generation of builders are at the heart of Graniterock’s future. We're excited to see where the next century takes us."
Founded on February 14, 1900 by Arthur R. Wilson, Graniterock began as a small granite quarry in Aromas, California. Since then, the company has grown into a multifaceted engineering and construction materials company that plays an essential role in building California’s highways, bridges, airports, schools and neighborhoods. n
Graniterock is dedicated to its community. Events like the Rock & Run have raised as much as $43,000 for Aromas and San Juan schools.
CalCIMA members give back to the community
By CalCIMA members
HOLLIDAY ROCK
HOLLIDAY ROCK
Holliday Rock started a Fire Aid Relief donation drive for the LA Wildfires because they recognized the urgent need for all essential supplies for the victims, families and displaced neighbors affected by the tragedy. Flyers for the drive were distributed to Holliday Rock’s locations, social media platforms and local chambers of commerce. Donations came in of non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, baby needs, and essential hygiene products. Holliday Rock received and distributed over 1,000 items.
CEMEX
Cemex Employee Donation Drive
Supporting SoCal Fire Victims
Our Southern California team demonstrated the true meaning of compassion and unity by participating in emergency donation drives to support victims of the recent Southern California fires.
Through these collective efforts, our employees generously donated new and gently used essential items, helping community members in greater Los Angeles impacted by this devastating event.
Donations collected by Holliday Rock included non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, baby supplies, and essential hygiene products—providing much-needed relief for those impacted by wildfires.
The incredible support and generosity from the community and employees was overwhelming as people showed up daily to donate.
Holliday Rock is passionate about giving back and having positive effects that strengthen relationships with the surrounding areas.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to this important cause, and a huge shoutout to our team members at the Los Angeles Ready Mix, Inglewood Ready Mix, Victorville Cement and Ontario Administrative operations for coordinating donation collections. Your actions showcase the strength of our Cemex family and our shared commitment to standing with our communities during difficult times.
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento Cemex was a sponsor of the Habitat for Humanity (HFH)
CEMEX employees generously donated new and gently used essential items to support community members in Greater Los Angeles affected by the devastating wildfires.
Greater Sacramento Women Build 2025 event that happened in Folsom, CA, where they also had 4 volunteers participating in the build of one of the 10 HFH homes on site. The team was responsible for framing out nine air ventilation ducts and learned some valuable skills along the way!
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION
Granite Supports Wreaths Across America
For the second year in a row, Granite Construction’s Central California region participated in supporting Wreaths Across America by purchasing wreaths to honor and support fallen veterans. These wreaths were placed at the Bakersfield National Cemetery in Bakersfield, CA, and the Oak Hill Cemetery in Solvang, CA. Many generous individuals throughout the region purchased wreaths, and Granite matched each purchase with two additional wreaths.
CEMEX team members volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento, helping build one of 10 homes on site as proud sponsors of the project.
Chili Cookoff Supports Boys & Girls Club
Granite Construction’s Ukiah Chili Cookoff, a beloved community event organized by the North Coast Area team of Granite’s Coastal Region, has been a cornerstone of Ukiah's social calendar for over two decades. Held annually on the first Friday after Labor Day, this event brings together local businesses, community groups, and residents for a day of friendly competition and family fun. Participants compete for Best Chili, Hottest Chili, Best Dressed, and more, while attendees enjoy the food, games, miniature golf, and live music. Each year, the event raises significant funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah, with recent years seeing contributions exceeding $30,000.
Granite team members are proud to give back to the communities they serve.
Watsonville Supports Local Community with Toy Drives
Over the holiday season, Granite Construction teams in Watsonville came together to contribute for the annual Toy Drive.
The Toy Drive had two components. The first was a donation site at the office where employees left hundreds of toys to be distributed in the community. The second was the “Adopt a Family” program, where employees reviewed online profiles of families in need and then selected gifts for the entire family to be delivered over the holidays. These efforts helped make the season brighter for many families in Watsonville and Pajaro.
A&A READY MIX
CalCIMA producer member
A&A Ready Mixed Concrete, Inc. pledged $50,000 to the Southern California wildfire disaster relief efforts in January 2025. The donation was made through the California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund, which supports critical recovery services such as housing and medical care for displaced residents.
“A&A Ready Mixed Concrete is committed to supporting the communities where we live and
A&A READY MIXED CONCRETE, INC. DONATES $50,000 TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE RELIEF
In January 2025, CalCIMA producer member A&A Ready Mixed Concrete, Inc. pledged $50,000 to support communities affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California, contributing to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund.
work, especially during times of crisis,' said Kurt Caillier, President of A&A Ready Mixed Concrete, Inc. 'We are proud to contribute to the recovery efforts and encourage other companies to join us in donating to the California Community Foundation to help those affected rebuild and recover."
VULCAN
Vulcan Materials Company demonstrates a strong commitment to community involvement through initiatives like the Martin Luther
King Jr. Day of Service, offering employees a paid day to volunteer nationwide.
In recognition of these efforts, Vulcan’s Chula Vista Stone operation earned the 2024 NSSGA Platinum Community Relations Excellence Award for outstanding community engagement and public outreach. n
Above: Vulcan Materials team members honored MLK Day of Service and celebrated their Platinum Community Award, showcasing their commitment to service and leadership.
Right: Vulcan Materials team members honored MLK Day with community service and were recognized with the NSSGA Platinum Community Relations Award for their outstanding commitment to engagement and public outreach.
Springing into safety at CalCIMA’s Spring Thaw
By Julia Maldonado, Communications Coordinator, CalCIMA
CalCIMA’s 2025 Spring Thaw safety conferences took place this past February in Ontario and Sacramento, CA. Blue Mountain Minerals President John Salkowski delivered the safety keynote address in Ontario, while Teichert Materials President Dana Davis
delivered it in Sacramento. Both presidents emphasized that safety needs to be a core value within every company.
The Thaws included a remembrance to honor the fallen miners from 2024. The ceremony included a remembrance of each miner’s life, a candlelight
vigil and a moment of silence. The education sessions at the Thaws included talks from agency officials, company personnel, and safety experts on best practices, manager responsibilities, fire safety, workplace violence prevention and much more. n
Dana Davis of Teichert, and current CalCIMA Chairman, delivered the keynote address at the Sacramento Spring Thaw.
Doug Ross of the Sacramento Fire Department participated in the Fire Safety panel.
John Salkowski of Blue Mountain Materials delivered the keynote address at the Ontario Spring Thaw.
Workplace Violence Prevention panel in Sacramento. Left to right: Jorge Rios, Holliday Rock, Detective Zachary Finley, Sacramento Police Department, and James Anderson, Everview Law.
CalCIMA staff checking in Spring Thaw attendees in Ontario. From left to right: Nicole Ross, Suzanne Seivright-Sutherland, Stephanie Pridmore, and Abi Hague.
Mike Herges, Herges Safety Services moderated the Ontario Spring Thaw and shared important updates, including information from the Opioid Resource Guide.
Jeff Wallace and Matt Switzer from Cal/OSHA provided regulatory updates on mining and tunneling.
Russ Morton and Daniel Susdorf with National Ready Mixed Concrete participated in the Fire Safety Panel.
The Workplace Violence Prevention Panel in Ontario featured San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies Greg Jones (left) and Raquel Che, Steve Brown of the Safety Center, Brad Johnson of Everview Law, and Jorge Rios of Holliday Rock.
Chad Ouellette of United Rock Products gave a presentation on Proximity Detection Equipment and its role in enhancing jobsite safety.
Bruce Coggin of Red Door Safety presented “The Weakest Link,” highlighting critical management considerations.
Meghan Neal of P.W. Gillibrand provided key regulatory updates to attendees.
Alex Mills and Jason Stevenson of Reed Family Companies gave a presentation on safety practices and managerial responsibilities. Jason also participated in the fire safety panel.
attendees honor
Spring Thaw
2024 fallen miners with a candlelight vigil.
Industry Spotlight: Tony Limas, a legendary career in construction
By Cameron Richardson, Director of Technical Affairs, CalCIMA and Julia Maldonado, Communications Coordinator, CalCIMA
Ea rlier this year, Caltrans presented CalCIMA and Granite Construction retiree Tony Limas with a Certificate of Appreciation, honoring his nearly 50-year career in the infrastructure industry. The living legend reflected back on his career, legacy, and thoughts on the future of the industry.
From the beginning, Limas has found his sense of purpose and has been drawn to the idea of building something that stands the test of time.
“Roads, bridges, dams and airfields aren’t just asphalt, concrete and soils. They’re lifelines for communities, shaping economies and everyday lives.” This mindset allowed Limas to create a multi-decade career of focused influence and vision.
During Limas’ career, he was integral in the success of many projects across the globe. He touts the construction of airfields and facilities in the Negev Desert as one of his most memorable: “It wasn’t just about the technical work. It was the collaboration, problem-solving, and seeing the tangible difference it made for the overall success of the project.”
Limas’ penchant for collaboration led him to work heavily with the Rock Products Committee (RPC) as co-chair and in other capacities. The RPC eventually evolved into the Pavement and Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC), which provides a forum for Caltrans and Industry to coordinate efforts to improve construction methods, material specifications and test methods utilized in the
construction and preservation of transportation facilities. Through both committees, he has put his imprint and expertise into many construction and material specifications that we are still using today. Some of his contributions in many efforts included:
• Binder Content Tolerance
• Warm Mix
• Quality Assurance / Quality Control
• Performance Graded (PG) Binder Inclusion
• Superpave
• Intelligent Compaction
• Hamburg Wheel Track
• Statistical Pay Factor
• Caltrans Test Methods 125 and 306
Tony Limas, CalCIMA (right) and Jay Hansen, National Asphalt Pavement Association connect at CalCIMA’s 2021 Education Conference.
Tony Limas is looking forward to a restful retirement with his family and spending it in the great outdoors.
• High Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (Up to 25 & 40%)
• Recycled Asphalt Shingles
• Post Plant Gradation
One of the most impactful pieces of specification development Limas helped bring to fruition was, “ …the Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) specifications at Caltrans. The specifications addressed key challenges related to the quality of construction and construction materials in a manner that significantly reduces risk for Caltrans and our asphalt industry.”
While Limas has championed many successes throughout his career, it expectedly has not been without its challenges, but Limas maintained a clear vision of success.
“One challenge that really tested me was finding common ground working with my industry colleagues and our industry partners at Caltrans that resulted in the application of the best available construction and materials specifications,” he said. “It forced me to think creatively, pivot quickly when needed and rally teams working on specific objectives. In the end, overcoming obstacles made the final result even more rewarding.”
As for the future of the industry, Limas hopes that he will be remembered for pushing the industry to implement smarter, more sustainable building practices.
“The future of our construction industry lies in sustainability and smart technology. Whether it’s using better materials, better test procedures, reducing environmental impact, or implementing AI-driven efficiencies there’s tremendous room for growth and innovation.”
Limas also wants to be known for helping lead the next generations of engineers and construction professionals. He encourages those navigating the field to go in with an open mind and learn from their experiences.
“If I can help others find pride in their work and leave behind infrastructure that serves communities well, that’s a legacy worth having… I encourage new engineers and construction professionals to be a sponge. Realize that ‘sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know.’ Be open-minded, adaptable,
and always seeking knowledge and new skills at all levels. No two projects are the same, and things rarely go exactly according to plans. Learn to communicate effectively, solve problems under pressure, and always prioritize safety and quality.” These fundamental truths about our industry can be applied to the entire landscape of experience.
Toward the end of his career, Limas served as the first Director of Asphalt Advocacy and Technical Affairs for CalCIMA from 2021 to 2024. Prior to joining CalCIMA, he worked for Granite Construction as the Quality Manager, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers (civilian), where he worked on the New Melones Dam and many other major projects.
Congratulations Tony on your incredible career. CalCIMA and industry wishes you a restful retirement where you can spend time with your grandkids, ski, and take a step-back to marvel at all the things you have accomplished and communities you have made better through your work. n
Tony Limas was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation by Caltrans. His career in the construction industry lasted nearly 50 years.
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Lawmakers join CalCIMA for annual summit and member lobby day
By Erik Turner, Director of Legislative Affairs, CalCIMA
With CalCIMA members flying into Sacramento from around the state and across the country for our annual Legislative Summit, we were honored to be joined this year by a number of influential lawmakers who spoke to us about pressing policy issues our industry faces in California.
We are exceedingly grateful to all the legislators who joined us in discussing an array of topics from a legislative perspective, offering strategic insights and policy goals. This year we wanted to highlight one legislator in particular for his leadership: Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, Chair of the Assembly Local Government Committee, and author of CalCIMA-sponsored legislation to protect California’s critical construction aggregate reserves for future use by establishing an “idle mine reserve status” within the Surface Mining
& Reclamation Act (SMARA). It would extend the life of aggregate resources by up to 10 years, whose production has temporarily been low due to market conditions. Carrillo’s knowledge of our industry, coupled with his dedication and political savvy, are increasingly rare in the Capitol. Before we spotlight Carrillo further, let’s take a look at some of the other lawmakers we heard from and the issues they discussed.
Transportation infrastructure remains a top priority for CalCIMA. We heard from Assemblymember Lori Wilson and Senator Dave Cortese, chairs of their respective transportation committees, as they provided their perspectives on addressing declining gas tax revenue.
Transportation infrastructure is essential to the California economy and way of life, but the transition to electric vehicles,
improving natural resource policy to help ensure local communities can develop and provide for their citizens effectively while also protecting the environment.
CalCIMA members made their way to the Capitol Annex Swing Space to meet with assemblymembers, senators and legislative staff.
Assemblymember Juan Carrillo spoke regarding
Assemblymember Lori Wilson addressed the issue of shrinking gas tax revenue, offering insights from her role on the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Senator Dave Cortese weighed in on the challenges posed by declining gas tax revenue from the perspective of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Chuck Bonham and Director of the Department of Conservation Jennifer Lucchesi spoke at the Summit. Integrating and improving natural resources’ development and conservation remains critical to providing resilient construction materials for those around us.
as well as higher fuel-economy vehicles, is having the unintended consequence of reducing gas tax revenue dedicated to maintaining our roads, highways, and bridges. We look forward to continue working with both legislators to find solutions
The tragic Los Angeles fires at the start of the year quickly became a top priority for both the Legislature and CalCIMA. Speaking at the summit was a legislative leader in California’s efforts to strengthen fire resilience: Assemblymember Damon Connolly, who is authoring a critical wildfire bill that CalCIMA is supporting which requires the Department of Insurance to consider additional building hardening measures. As noted in Connolly’s legislation, “Noncombustible construction
materials…provide the highest level of fire safety among materials… because these materials do not ignite, even when exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time.” We couldn’t have said it any better!
And rounding out the list is the aforementioned Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, representing Antelope Valley and the High Desert. As noted, Carrillo is the author of CalCIMA-sponsored legislation AB 982 to allow idle mines to extend their operation for an additional ten years. Carrillo has also re-introduced AB 1089 related to the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act that CalCIMA will again be supporting. No stranger to the industry, Carrillo teamed up with CalCIMA last year to lead other legislators on
educational facility tours in his district. California is fortunate to have a pragmatic and effective leader like Carrillo as a legislator and CalCIMA is grateful he has agreed to champion our sponsored legislation.
Attendees of the Legislative Summit also had the opportunity to hear from California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham and the newly-appointed Department of Conservation Director Jennifer Lucchesi, among other industry partners and stakeholders that spoke.
CalCIMA greatly appreciates all members who could attend the summit and lobby day. We look forward to seeing you again next year! n
CalCIMA members made their way to the Capitol Annex Swing Space to meet with assemblymembers, senators and legislative staff.
Caltrans begins new EPD program SUSTAINABILITY
By Cameron Richardson, Director of Technical Affairs, CalCIMA and Charley Rea, Vice President of Policy & Communications, CalCIMA
In February, a new era in state priority for low carbon materials began when Caltrans implemented the collection of concrete and asphalt environmental product declarations (EPD) for state transportation projects. The new program will help Caltrans and materials producers understand more about the carbon impacts of materials, mixes, and applications of those products on different roadway structures.
The specification for EPD submittal was developed by a work group of the Pavement Materials & Partnering Committee. CalCIMA producer members Holliday Rock’s Ignacio Valdivia and Teichert Materials’ Mike Kocunik are the CalCIMA representatives on the workgroup.
“The implementation of this EPD requirement is a major step forward for the industry and for California’s sustainability goals. By collecting and analyzing real-world data, Caltrans is providing a structured approach to understanding and reducing embodied carbon in materials. This program will not only enhance transparency, but also drive innovation in low-carbon concrete and asphalt solutions,” Valdivia said.
When Does It Apply?
The new requirement was issued as a nonstandard special provision (NSSP) and applies to hot mix asphalt and concrete materials and products. These are a few of the requirements:
• Projects with an opening bid date after Feb. 1, 2025
• Projects with a total bid over $1 million and 175 working days
• EPDs must be facilityspecific, product stage.
For hot mix asphalt (HMA), it applies to mixes of 2,250 tons or more being used on the project. It does not apply to rubberized hot mix asphalt, open-graded friction course, and bonded wearing course.
For concrete, it applies to mixes supplying 250 cubic yards or more on a project. The concrete materials include bases, pavement, retaining walls, pilings, structures, masonry, curbs and sidewalks, and railings and barriers. It does not include volumetric-proportioned rapid strength concrete and precast.
An EPD is not required in the following situations:
• Seasonal plants operating less than 6 months per year
• Informal bid contracts
• When a product category rule (PCR) has expired without replacement as of bid opening date, or was issued less than 50 days prior to bid opening date.
The EPDs must be submitted within 30 days of the initial placement of the materials. At least 15 days before submission, the supplier and contractor will need to register with Caltrans Data Interchange for Materials Engineering (DIME).
And, if a submittal is missed, Caltrans can levy up to a $6,000 fine.
How to Participate?
To assist producers in filing the EPDs, Caltrans has developed procedures, a website with easy to follow instructions, and Q&A. To begin, asphalt and concrete suppliers and contractors will need a DIME account to log in and input their EPDs. If a producer does not already have one, they can register at www.dime.dot.ca.gov. This will allow access to the EPD database.
How does a producer input the data?
Go to Caltrans’ EPD website, www.epd.dot.ca.gov. The only difference between concrete and asphalt is the location of where the data is found on the EPD. The Caltrans website has separate instructions for each and pictures to show exactly where to look.
What does a producer do when an EPD is needed for a project?
If the supplier has the EPD in the system, the contractor can simply look up the EPD using the mix number (or mix ID) from your mix designs. There’s no need to submit the EPD separately to the contractor.
If you don’t have an EPD when the project starts, the producer enters it into the system and notifies the contractor accordingly. They will take care of the rest.
“We are extremely pleased with how easy it is to input EPDs into the system with the aid of the Database Guide in the Help
& Support dropdown on the website,” Kocunik said.
For producers or plants looking to develop EPDs for the first time, Caltrans’ related Climate Challenge program offers up to $4,500 per plant per EPD to offset costs of EPD development. These funds have a limited time to be allocated.
In sum, the importance of the EPD collection lies in the data that will be obtained. Eventually, Caltrans is likely to develop
global warming potential (GWP) thresholds for concrete and asphalt materials. This EPD collection program provides a way to do this from the ground-up, based on the actual data from projects, from a variety of locations and uses in California. Caltrans is truly vested in creating this database of EPDs and this program will allow the collection of data to understand regional differences. An ongoing effort will be helping industry and
Caltrans navigate EPDs together. Caltrans is planning a series of webinars with industry to ensure that the process and participation are easy for all parties.
In addition to the information provided on Caltrans website for its program, members can find more general information about EPDs and available resources on CalCIMA’s website, www.calcima.org. n
• Utilizing Type 1L (HS) low carbon cement to reduce embodied carbon and CO2 emissions.
• Providing innovative, high performance mix designs with third party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) available with every mix.
• Incorporating a large fleet of bulk material haulers (aggregate and cement) and concrete mixers that run on renewable natural gas RNG, reducing GHG emissions.
• Technically advanced, high production facilities providing superior quality and service throughout Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties.
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Members promote concrete pump safety
By Charley Rea, Vice President of Policy & Communications, CalCIMA
When mixer trucks can't reach the pour location, a concrete pump is needed. Concrete moves through a long hose from the truck to the pour site.
Delivery of ready mixed concrete poses many safety challenges for mixer truck drivers. These drivers may be required to negotiate many challenges such as narrow access areas, steep hillsides, uneven or wet surfaces, proximity to excavation sites, near and under power lines, in heavy traffic and deliveries at night, just to name a few. And all these challenges constantly vary from pour to pour.
One of the more complicated job-site challenges is when a mixer truck cannot reach the pour location. In these instances, a concrete pump is required to move the concrete through a long hose from the truck to the pour location. The challenge stems in part from the multiple and separate entities involved. There is the construction contractor, or subcontractor, on
site that is responsible for that portion of the construction project. There is the concrete pumping company on site that serves as a conduit between the mixer truck and the construction site pour. Finally, there is the mixer driver with a truckload of concrete, who arrives at the site for only a short time.
Communication alone among the 3 entities is a challenge, particularly given that the mixer driver will arrive at the site not necessarily aware of the exact conditions at the site. Even if the driver was at that site the day before or earlier in the day, conditions may have changed, and the driver may not be aware of those until he or she arrives.
Even the proper set of hand signals that need to be utilized among construction workers, the
pumper, and driver can be critical to safety.
And the physical hazards are many. The mixer truck must be on semi-level, solid, and safe ground to unload, away from other moving hazards, such as road traffic and construction equipment. Working in the vicinity of concrete hoses with as much as 1,000 PSI of pressure running through them is a hazard. Proper techniques, procedures and equipment are needed to ensure safety.
Delineation of responsibilities is crucial. Is everyone a safe distance away when priming the pumps? Who does what? Is it the pumper’s job? If so, are they properly trained?
A conspicuous hazard that can easily be overlooked are overhead power lines. The long swinging metal booms of concrete boom
pumps can easily strike overhead power lines. Everyone working in the vicinity must have a concise understanding of the safety procedures and distances required to be maintained according to the voltages of the lines.
With these safety challenges in mind, CalCIMA’s Safety & Health Committee recently developed a postcard on key safety reminders for concrete pumping and job site safety. It is titled Concrete Pump Safety – Plan Ahead. The safety reminders were developed by a work group of ready mixed concrete producers from member companies CEMEX, National Ready Mixed Concrete Company, Holliday Rock, Robar Enterprises, Graniterock, and Folsom Ready Mix.
The postcard serves as a handy and easy-to-read way for a ready
There are multiple entities that work on a concrete pump project: Contractors, concrete pumping companies, and mixer drivers.
mixed concrete company to share with customers what they expect in regard to safety. Sales personnel can share at meetings with their counterparts and include with signing documents. It can be taken to pre-construction meetings. And, with a stack in the driver’s cab, they can be readily shared with construction site and concrete pumper personnel.
The postcard has a list of the key hazards and common practices to plan for; though it is not a detailed program on handling every project, it is a great place to start.
Another important aspect of pumper safety at a job site is that it is addressed in as uniform as possible at all California job sites. The state is large, with often a lot of regional adaptations to safety and operational practices.
To the extent the practices highlighted in the postcard can be followed statewide, it will improve understanding of the proper safety practices on all job sites.
"This serves as an excellent starting point for everyone involved in ready mix concrete production to align safety standards for our drivers as well as those working in close proximity to concrete pumps," said Russell Morton, Safety Manager at National Ready Mixed Concrete Company and co-chair of the CalCIMA Safety & Health Committee.
The CalCIMA concrete pump safety postcard and resources can be found at https://www.calcima. org/concretepumpsafety n
Scan the QR code to view the Concrete Pump Safety card.
National Ready Mixed Concrete CompanySupporting local communities through firefighter safety training
By Steve Lode, President of National Ready Mixed Concrete Company
On February 15, 2024, in Wilmington, CA, a cleanair, compressed natural gas (CNG) powered truck had a catastrophic cylinder failure due to a fire that injured nine LAFD firefighters. This incident shook the firefighter community which soon identified a gap in firefighter training on how to best address CNG vehicle fires and CNG station fires.
Immediately following the incident, National Ready Mixed Concrete Company (“National Ready Mix”) reached out to the Los Angeles County Fire Department to offer specific training for on-road trucks and CNG fueling stations. This training focused on the advanced CNG technology for use in onroad applications and how the manufacturers recommended best practices should be followed to allow built in safety devices to
Over 100 firefighters took part in National Ready Mixed Concrete Company’s first training on how to best address compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fires and CNG station fires. This training continues today; an estimated 700 firefighters have taken place in this training.
perform as designed. Helping the Firefighters and First Responders to better understand CNG technology was critical to the fire community’s specific needs on how to best control CNG vehicles and CNG station fires.
National Ready Mix created a personalized, hands-on training program for their concrete mixer trucks, their heavy haul twoaxle tractors and their CNG stations. This program consisted of communicating various CNG manufacturer’s component level
designs with best management practices regarding fire situations involving the CNG fuel source.
Following the first training, a strong relationship was developed with the firefighter community and this led to the Los Angeles Fire Department entrusting National to train over 100 firefighters from 15 Los Angeles County Fire Stations. From this initial point, National Ready Mix then participated in a much larger training event where several different companies with different vehicle types including
trash trucks, school buses, metro buses and many others aligned to train over 500 additional firefighters at the Frank Hotchkins Memorial Training Center in Los Angeles.
The underlying communication to local firefighters is that if a vehicle fire is encroaching on the CNG cylinders, do not apply water
National Ready Mix displayed a tremendous example of community leadership by actively listening to the needs of the firefighters and first responder community. Then effectively developing a training program and communicating in-person with firefighters who see the equipment up close and
communities when potentially faced with these types of vehicle or station fires. This critical training continues today, with the most recent group of firefighters participating in training the last week of March. In total, National estimates nearly 700 firefighters have gained knowledge of manufacturers’ best practices and exactly what PRDs do in the event
Presented by the Industrial Environmental Association
NATIONAL NEWS
National association news
ESSENTIAL MINERALS ASSOCIATION (EMA)
Essential Minerals Association Industry Update
The Trump Administration has issued many executive orders impacting the minerals industry – some good (critical minerals and energy EOs), others not so good (tariffs). EMA is managing a tracker of all the orders and how they could impact the industry, which can be found by navigating to the newsroom of our website at essentialminerals.org.
In February, EMA’s former Executive Vice President, Wayne Palmer, was nominated to be the next head of MSHA as the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health. This is an exciting opportunity for Wayne, and we know he will bring a wealth of knowledge about the minerals industry once he is confirmed.
EMA is returning to California to host its Annual Conference, May 5-8, 2025, in Monterey, California. We are excited to have CalCIMA President and CEO Robert Dugan as one of our featured speakers. More info on the meeting is online: https://www.essentialminerals. org/event/2025-annualconference/.
NATIONAL ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION (NAPA)
Safety Coalition Aims to Advance Federal Policy
In partnership with the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), NAPA is leading a partnership of more than a dozen trade associations
called the National Work Zone Safety Coalition. The Coalition is comprised of engineers, contractors, material producers, labor, equipment manufacturers, and distributors.
The Coalition has one goal: advance federal policy on work zone safety. To that end, it has identified several legislative priorities, including:
• More resources for enforcement in work zones
• Education for student drivers
• Creating a federal working group on work zone safety, and
• Increasing resources and deployment for smart technologies in work zones.
As Congress begins drafting the next highway reauthorization, the Coalition will work diligently with the authorizing committees to advance our industries’ priorities to keep highway workers safe.
For more information, please contact Mitch Baldwin, NAPA’s Director of Government Affairs, MBaldwin@AsphaltPavement.org.
NATIONAL STONE, SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION (NSSGA)
NSSGA Awards of Excellence
NSSGA is now accepting applications for the 2025 Awards of Excellence. Each year, NSSGA producer member facilities submit applications showcasing their
work in community relations, environmental practices and safety. Award winners receive commemorative plaques, and the highest winners are honored on stage at the Legislative & Policy Forum in Washington, D.C.
The Community Relations awards recognize producer members whose community involvement enhances the public’s perception of the industry and their facilities. The Environmental awards recognize producer operations demonstrating a commitment to environmental controls and responsible stewardship. The Safety awards recognize producer member operations maintaining a safe workplace, evidenced by performance over a consecutive period without an MSHA-reportable injury.
We encourage all NSSGA producer members to apply for the Awards of Excellence. Take advantage of early bird pricing by applying by March 28. The final deadline to apply is May 1.
Visit members.nssga.org/ awards to learn more and apply.
NATIONAL READY MIXED CONCRETE ASSOCIATION (NRMCA)
With increased threats to communities across the country from wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding it remains critical for the concrete industry to speak with one voice to advocate for sensible policy directives that reduce risks, reduce costs, and reduce loss. NRMCA continues to
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