BAKERSFIELD 3340 Allen Rd. Bakersfield, CA 93314 (661)631-5777
CONCORD 5151 Port Chicago Highway Concord, CA 94520 (925)822-0366
FRESNO
5704 S. Toyota Place Fresno, CA 93275 (559)442-8989
HAYWARD 4125 Breakwater Avenue Hayward, CA 94545 (510)786-9506
RENO 12905 Old Virginia Road Reno, NV 89521 (775)348-0140
SACRAMENTO
8565 Elder Creek Road Sacramento, CA 95828 (916)383-7475
SALT LAKE CITY
1135 S. Pioneer Road Salt Lake City, UT 84104 (801)886-0586
SAN JOSE
2969 Daylight Way San Jose, CA 95111 (408)224-1052
SAN LUIS OBISPO
635 Tank Farm Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805)543-0113
TURLOCK 2800 N. Golden State Blvd. Turlock, CA 95382 (209)632-5084
SANTA ROSA
3963 Santa Rosa Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707)523-2350
SAN FRANCISCO 255 Selby Street San Francisco, CA 94124 (415)642-2350
Hester, McGuire and Hester
Dale Breen, Midstate Barrier, Inc.
...... Juan C. Arrequin, Bay Line Cutting & Coring, Inc.
Kelly Attebery, F & M Bank; Tom Barr, Ghilotti Bros., Inc.; Bryn Burke, Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, LLC; Teresa Dias, Peterson Trucks, Inc.; Kurt Eddy, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.; Greg Goebel Jr., Goebel Construction, Inc.; Alan Guy, Anvil Builders; Jeff Peel, Steve P. Rados, Inc.; Joe Sostaric, The Conco Companies
United Contractors Committee Chairs
Associates: Teresa Dias (Associate Director), Peterson Trucks, Inc. | Kelly Attebery (Associate Director-Elect), F & M Bank |
Caltrans: Michael Ghilotti (Chairman), Ghilotti Bros., Inc. |
Legislative: Rob Layne, O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc. | Political
Action (PAC): George Furnanz, Stacy and Witbeck, Inc. |
Safety & Insurance: Robert Sabin, Harbor Linx, Inc. | Attorney
Roundtable (ART): Facilitated by Mark Breslin | SF City
Contractor Liaison: Mike Ghilotti (Chairman), Ghilotti Bros., Inc., Miguel Galarza (Chairman), Yerba Buena Engineering & Construction, Inc. | Scholarship: Trony Fuller, West Coast Sand & Gravel | Southern CA Steering Committee: Steve Concannon, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.
Mark Breslin, Chief Executive Officer; Emily Cohen, Executive Vice President; Tejel Patel, Executive Assistant to CEO; Ursula Becker, Executive Assistant to EVP; Victor Sella, Vice President of Labor Relations; Clay O’Neal, Regional Vice President, Southern CA Operations; Dave Jenkins, Contractor Services, Southern California; Ruby Varnadore, Labor Contracts Manager; Lucia Mixon, Contractor Member Services, Southern CA; Sandra Kaya, Administrative Specialist; Sue Weiler-Doke, Labor Relations Consultant; Melissa Gutwald, Director of Finance & Operations; Denise Ramirez, Online Services Manager; Emmy McConnell, Senior Accountant; Michelle Hannigan, Bookkeeper; Angelica Gouig, Director of Events & Education; Christine Traina, Event Manager; Rachel Oraa, Event Assistant; Avanti Mehta, Education Assistant; Marissa Miller, Marketing & Communications Manager; Michelle Vejby, Publications Manager; Eddie Bernacchi, UCON Chief Lobbyist; Christopher Lee, Safety Consultant; Drew Delaney, Mike Buckantz, Regulatory Consultants
Cover image, courtesy Walsh Construction Company II, LLC
As one of the most essential industries in the world, the construction industry has always played a key role in shaping our society. Heavy civil contractors, in particular, are tasked with building and maintaining the critical infrastructure that keeps our communities functioning. From roads and bridges to airports and water treatment plants, members of our industry play a vital role in the development of our modern world.
However, construction is also one of the most dangerous industries in the world. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry had the highest number of fatalities of any industry sector in 2019. UCON recognizes the importance of construction safety and has made it a top priority for our members.
Of the many reasons why construction safety is so crucial for heavy civil contractors, these are a few of the most paramount:
This is our number one priority in our industry—making sure every single worker comes home safely at the end of the day. We are involved in large-scale projects that require heavy machinery and equipment, and this can be dangerous if not properly managed and trained for. Workers may be exposed to risks such as falls, cave-in, electrocution, and machinery accidents, which can result in severe injuries or even death.
We can minimize the risks to our workers’ lives and health by implementing and enforcing robust safety measures. This can include providing training and equipment, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and conducting regular safety audits. Utilize the resources in UCON’s Contractor Resource Library, and reach out to Chris Lee, UCON’s Safety Consultant, who is available for questions and help.
Construction accidents and injuries can result in downtime and lost productivity, which can have a significant impact on project timelines and costs. This can be particularly costly for members of our industry as our projects are often time-sensitive and require precision planning.
By prioritizing construction safety, we can reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries occurring on-site. This can help to minimize downtime and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Construction safety is not just about protecting workers’ lives and reducing costs; it is also essential for maintaining a contractor’s reputation and trust with our clients. Clients expect heavy civil contractors to take measures to minimize risks on their projects.
As leaders of our industry, we have built and maintained trust with our clients by demonstrating a solid commitment to construction safety. Continuing to operate at the highest standards of safety and transparency will result in increased business opportunities, repeat business, and positive word-ofmouth recommendations.
For 40 years, United Contractors has maintained a Safety & Insurance Committee made up of safety professionals across the industry, that provides the membership with information on safe operation in the industry, increases preventative safety programs, thus creating a reduction of liability expenses. This committee is open and welcomes UCON members to sit in on meetings or lend their voice to the conversation.
In this issue, we celebrate recipients of UCON’s R.E.A.L. Safety Awards (see page 16). This program honors the safest companies in our industry by Recognizing Excellence, Awareness, and Leadership in safety. We congratulate the winners in categories for Man-Hours, Most Improved Safety Rating, Safety Hero, and Most Unique Safety Project.
“This is our number one priority in our industry—making sure every single worker comes home safely at the end of the day.”
In this issue’s Last Call feature, we address and outline a simple, threephase crisis response should you find yourself in the unimaginable event of a critical incident on a jobsite. Additional crisis response resources live on the UCON website at www.unitedcontractors.org/crisis.
United Contractors is committed to promoting construction safety among our members and
advocating for safety standards and regulations that protect workers in the construction industry. Please lean on the experts at UCON for your safety, compliance, insurance, and OSHA questions. They are there to help ensure our industry stays safe, successful, and strong. z
All union collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) UCON negotiates contain substance abuse policies (SAPs). These SAPs specify when testing is allowed on union-represented employees, what types of tests may be performed, and what substances can be tested for, along with notification requirements to employees and the union.
Many contractors confuse these rules to mean that employers have no rights or say beyond the letter of these union SAPs. But that is simply not the case. While contractors are bound to the SAPs, there’s more to substance abuse policies than what, when, and how you can test.
By Victor Sella, Vice President of Labor Relations
is, “What is your company’s tolerance for employees found under the influence while on the job?” Many contractors have a “zero tolerance” policy, meaning that if someone is found under the influence while on the job, they are immediately terminated. While this makes sense in a lot of ways for our industry, others take a caseby-case approach, sometimes even offering last-chance agreements if someone takes advantage of the various employee assistance programs offered by the unions.
Regardless of what your company’s policy position is, it is critical that:
1. Your company develops and/or reviews your policy periodically,
2. Your policy is memorialized and distributed to all employees, and
3. You stick to your policy.
I cannot stress enough the importance of consistent application of your substance abuse policy. In the end, a policy is only effective and sustainable under grievance or legal scrutiny if it is followed. Otherwise, preferential treatment for one employee versus another can easily undermine any defense of your future employment decisions related to substance abuse in the workplace.
Another question more employers are considering is whether to test for marijuana. Legalization and generational preferences towards recreational use have
pushed this question to the forefront of testing policy across most industries. In the fight to hire and retain talent, some contractors are reconsidering when and how they test.
In the end, we recommend that contractors adopt strong substance abuse policies that support safe and healthy work environments that prioritize safety for their employees and all those they encounter on the jobsite and beyond. If you’re not sure where to start on developing or revamping your policy, contact UCON— we’re here to help.
Substance abuse is a real issue for our industry. But more help is available than most realize. If you feel any of your workers need or may need assistance or support, do not hesitate to reach out to UCON or the union to help your employees get access to their union’s employee assistance program. These programs are topnotch and come at no cost to you or your employees.
Finally, make sure your company has copies of all the current union substance abuse policies and any required
forms. They are available to our members in the Contractor Resources Library of the United Contractors website (www.unitedcontractors.org), along with reference charts for both Northern CA and Southern CA that summarize key items in those policies. Your Contractor Help Desk team can also help with guidance and interpretation related to the union policies— (925) 855-7900, or memberinfo@unitedcontractors.org. z
UCON members are eligible for a member discount from AWSI/DISA Global Solutions. Statewide services encompass assisting with and managing your policy, including collections and testing, lab analysis, tracking, and training of management employees.
(714) 731-3084, https://disa.com/
Have Prevailing Wage Questions?—Take UCON’s Class!!
Certified Payroll–Answering Contractors Most Frequently Asked Questions
Thursday, August 10; 2:30pm-4:30pm
Instructors: Darbi Griffin and Jesse Jimenez, FFC, and Ruby Varnadore, United Contractors
Class Style: Virtual Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: FREE Non-member: $100
This class will cover UCON members’ most frequently asked certified payroll questions and common pitfalls–including Compliance requirements of Labor Code 1776, which is covered by certified payroll and contractor registration; apprenticeship requirements.
The last 30 minutes of the meeting will be a moderated Q&A with Ruby Varnadore, UCON’s Labor Contracts Manager. Attendees can pre-submit their questions or ask during the session.
Over half of the calls and e-mails that come into our Contractor Help Desk are about prevailing wage compliance, including paperwork and apprentice manning requirements. Even companies who have been doing public works jobs for years can get tripped up, especially when new employees haven’t been fully trained or there isn’t clear communication on who needs to do what within your company. Additionally, the past ten years have seen an increase in enforcement by labor compliance officers on many areas of compliance that weren’t consistently enforced in the past. Here’s a review of the basics and more resources to help you navigate the rules.
If you work or bid on a public works project, then you are considered a public works contractor. The term “public works contractor” includes subcontractors, and it can also include businesses that are often considered to be service providers such as truckers and surveyors. All public works contractors must fulfill four key responsibilities.
1. Register as a public works contractor (annual renewal required)
2. Pay prevailing wages
3. Follow apprenticeship requirements (for projects of $30,000 or more)
4. Maintain and submit certified payroll records
• Construction, alteration, demolition, installation, or repair work done under contract and paid in whole or in part out of public funds.
• It can include preconstruction and post-construction activities related to a public works project.
• Many specific scopes of work have been added through legislation over the years, including ready-mix concrete and the on-haul and off-haul of defined materials.
• For a full definition of public works refer to Labor Code Sections 1720 - 1720.9.
All workers employed on public works projects over $1,000 must be paid the prevailing wage determined by the Director of the DIR (state)
or the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (federal) according to the type of work and location of the project. The prevailing wage rates are usually, but not always, based on rates specified in collective bargaining agreements.
• State (“little Davis-Bacon”)
• Federal Davis-Bacon
Prevailing wages may also be required on private projects if they have any public funds, or if the project owner requires prevailing wages in their contract.
Note that all employees on the jobsite are not necessarily covered by prevailing wages. If a worker performs work that is covered by a prevailing wage determination and is classified as work by one of the crafts, then they are covered. If they are a purely supervisory employee who does not do any craft work, then they are not covered.
Applicability is defined by Labor Code Section 1771 and California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 16001. Davis-Bacon applies to 100% federally funded and administered projects, such as Federal Highway Administration (FWHA), Federal HUD, or U.S. Military bases. If there is any state or local money involved, then it is covered by California prevailing wages. If there is federal funding or assistance but it is administered by a state or local agency, then the higher standard will apply (usually California prevailing wages).
State prevailing wage rates are effective from the bid advertisement date (not the bid date, award date, or date that work is begun) through completion of the project. Predetermined increases that are posted with the applicable determination are also part of the prevailing wage rate. Davis-Bacon wage rates are effective from the contract solicitation date through the completion of the project. Union contractors are still responsible for factoring in and paying annual wage increases, unless the collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise. z
DIR Website:
FAQ on contractor registration, certified payroll reporting and other aspects of prevailing wage compliance - https://www.dir.
– Public Works Manual - https://www.dir.ca.gov/ dlse/PWManualCombined.pdf (NOTE: This has not been updated since 2018.)
Code References:
– Labor Code - https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/ faces/home.xhtml - click on “California Law,” then “Labor Code”
– California Code of Regulations - https://www.dir. ca.gov/Counters/t8index.htm
Resources from UCON in our Contractor Resources Library:
– Apprenticeship Basics for Public Works
Trucking Prevailing Wages Reference Guide
– Skilled & Trained Workforce Guide
Prevailing Wage & Labor Compliance Webinars from our Affiliates:
Foundation for Fair Contracting
www.ffccalifornia.com/registration-handouts
– July 25, 2023
– September 13, 2023
– October 5, 2023
Center for Contract Compliance
www.socalccc.org/registration
– July 12, 2023
– September 20, 2023
UCON reached a 4-year agreement with the Cement Masons (N. CA), effective July 1, 2023, and will take on joint masthead status for the first time, meaning our agreement will set prevailing wages with the DIR. Highlights of the new agreement include:
• 4.3% average increases
• Removal of double time after missed meal period provisions
• Enhanced PAGA waiver and statutory claims protections
• Special rates for non-mandatory training and modified duty
• Inclusion of subcontracting relief bargaining requirement in outlying areas
Information on the new agreement is available to our members in the Contractor Resources library of the United Contractors website, www.unitedcontractors.org.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the negotiating team members for their dedication, and for all their contributions of time and expertise.
NEGOTIATIONS TEAM:
Andy Vasconi; Casey-Fogli Concrete Contractors (Co-Chair)
Ron Fadelli; Berkeley Cement, Inc. (Co-Chair)
Catherine Moncada; Granite Construction Company
Jesse Rivas; Brosamer & Wall, Inc.
Louis “LJ” Fisher III; Cell-Crete Corporation
United Contractors Staff: Victor Sella
“The negotiating team led by Andy Vasconi and Victor Sella did an amazing job on preparing the group for success. The team worked diligently on the UCON contractors’ key issues which focused the group. Additionally, the Cement Mason negotiators led by Cody Bik and Emilio Aldana did a great job at representing their members.”
—Ron Fadelli, Berkeley Cement, Inc.
United Contractors has received wage and fringe benefit allocations from the unions for the 2023 Master Agreement increases (unless negotiations are still in process). Notifications have been sent out to our contractor members in bulletins, and members can easily find all the new rate sheets on our CBA’s and Rates page, as well as download them from our Contractor Resources Library.
Updates to the DIR’s prevailing wage determinations will not be reflected until September 1, unless they are already under the predetermined increases. Future negotiated increases beyond 2023 (for bidding purposes) are also available in the Contractor Resources Library. Contact the UCON Labor & Member Services team at (925) 855-7900 or memberinfo@unitedcontractors.or any questions. z
UCON representatives attended the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Pacific Southwest Region 2023 Conference in May. This year’s conference honored retiring PSW Regional Manager Rocco Davis for his service to LiUNA and the industry. Steve Clark (Granite Construction Company) joined other association representatives in congratulating and thanking Rocco.
Rocco served as Vice President and Regional Manager of (LiUNA) since 2001. He was Chairman of the LiUNA Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition, National Alliance for Fair Contracting, Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Southwest and International
Accreditation Service. He also served as a trustee on many of the Laborers’ national trusts. z
“Rocco Davis has been a collaborative partner to UCON for decades assisting in market share improvement and labor management progress. His contributions have been noteworthy.”
—Mark Breslin, CEO, United Contractors
United Contractors R.E.A.L. Safety Awards Program—Recognizing Excellence, Awareness, and Leadership in safety—is proud to announce our 2022 award winners.
The safety awards program has been developed to highlight the importance of building a culture of safety in each and every organization. UCON prioritizes safety as an industry core value, and honors our members for their commitment to this safety culture. Within the construction industry, lives are at stake every day. We applaud our remarkable members for their efforts to not only comply
The UCON Safety and Insurance Committee has been going strong for 40 years, and we are proud to uphold safety as the top priority in all of our organizations.
In the construction industry, we are constantly changing and adapting to new laws, regulations, protocols and learning from lessons learned. Last year, 2022, was no different. We were faced with new laws, new regulations, new protocols, and new challenges that we had to overcome.
We as a Safety Committee strive for perfection. Not only in the field and at our respective companies,
with rules and regulations, but also to protect workers so that everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day.
The UCON Safety Awards program is open to all UCON contractor companies. Winners were chosen within several different categories: man-hours worked in 2022, most improved safety (incident) rating, safety hero, and most unique safety project. The winning organizations are shown on the following pages, where they share their safety philosophy and vision, and the employees who make it happen. z
but as a committee as well. The UCON Safety Awards reflect our dedication. The judges put forth a lot of time and effort into making sure the criteria is set, judging each individual entry anonymously. Thank you to the judges for this year’s awards. And congratulations to the 2022 UCON Safety Award winners! I encourage everyone to submit an entry for the 2023 awards!
The UCON Safety & Insurance Committee will continue to lead the industry, and we honor and congratulate all of the UCON R.E.A.L. Safety Awards Winners! z
“Conco is deeply honored to receive the UCON R.E.A.L. Award for safety, as it recognizes our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of our employees and customers.
Safety is a core value at Conco, and we have implemented rigorous safety protocols and training programs to ensure that our operations are conducted in a safe and responsible manner.
We believe that safety is not just a priority, but a core value of our business, and we are constantly striving to model that value from the President of the company to the first-day apprentice.
This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, who have embraced our safety culture and made it an integral part of their daily work. We are proud to be recognized for our safety efforts, and we will continue to prioritize safety in all aspects of our business to ensure the well-being of our employees, customers, and communities.”
— Adam Rich, Corporate Safety Manager, The Conco Companies
Safety is one of our core values and we never stop improving on it. We equip and empower everyone on our teams to operate safely and be a part of upholding our safety culture. We vigilantly maintain a safe workplace so that every employee and subcontractor on our projects can return home to their families at the end of the day just as healthy as they started it. Congratulations to all of our employees and crews across the Bay Area for achieving such a high level of recognition in Safety.”
— Michael Ghilotti, President, Ghilotti Bros., Inc.
“Unified, as a company, upholds a safety philosophy rooted in consistency and attention to detail. We understand that maintaining a safe work environment requires unwavering adherence to established safety protocols and procedures. By consistently implementing and reinforcing safety measures throughout our operations, we ensure that safety remains a top priority at all times. Additionally, our commitment to attention to detail means that we leave no stone unturned when it comes to identifying and mitigating potential risks. Through this philosophy, Unified strives to provide a secure and accident-free workplace for all employees, fostering a culture of safety and well-being.”
— Travis DeBondt, Safety Manager
“KDW Construction has a deep-rooted culture in safety; it’s an integral part of everything we do from planning, to delivery of services. At KDW Construction, we believe effective communication is the key to safety! We host regular all-hands-on meetings to discuss lessons learned in safety, and incorporate regular safety toolboxes to all of our crew members. This is continued at every project site with pre-task planning, daily JHA/JSA forms, and morning safety huddles with all site workers and site safety walks. At KDW Construction, our scope of work requires “Skilled & Trained” personnel with multiple hours of specialized training and experience. We define the expectations of safe working procedures at all our job sites from required PPE to proven qualified use of tools, equipment, machinery, and it is this methodology that has yielded us an impeccable safety record and current EMR of .79.”
— D.J. Woods, Owner, KDW Construction, LLC
* “TEAM ZERO” recognizes those having a zero incident rate for the 2022 year.
“Fontenoy is incredibly honored to be selected for a 2022 R.E.A.L. Safety Award by United Contractors. Safety is at the forefront of everything we do and we consider it to be our top priority. The team is very proud to receive this recognition for our hard work. In 2022, we worked on our safety culture by providing every individual with distinct roles and responsibilities. We also continued training opportunities for our employees and ensured that all qualifications and certificates were up to date. We even had the opportunity to introduce and update safety programs as well as improve our document control and recording processes. We are extremely satisfied with the progress we made in
“It SMCI’s belief that all accidents, injuries, and illnesses are preventable through proactive measures. This involves creating a culture of safety where everyone takes responsibility for their own safety as well as that of others. This includes risk assessment, hazard identification, and the
implementation of control measures to minimize or eliminate potential hazards. Ultimately it has been the continued goal to achieve a safe and healthy workplace for all: “We all go home safe.”
— Doug Benton, President, Sierra
Mountain Construction, Inc.
UCON recognizes the following contractor members, in the ‘Up to 100,000 Man-Hours category,’ who achieved “Team Zero”—having a zero incident rate in 2022:
“Jesse Ruan, our Safety Manager here at JMH Engineering and Construction practices and promotes a zero-accident safety culture. His goal is to always have our team leave the same way they came in. Working safely is not only a requirement, it’s a condition of employment, and no matter how big the project or what the deadlines might be, safety will never be jeopardized for production.”
Matt Lovingier, CEO, JMH Engineering and Construction, Inc.
The local team you know and trust, with the CA footprint to cover all your work.
Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc.
“Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc. takes pride in expanding its portfolio at any opportunity, and during the summer of 2022 our team was able to take on and successfully complete a gantry crane rail extension project involving intensive coordination, planning and follow-through. The high-risk nature of the powerhouse facility, where both demolition and new construction was performed for the project, required our team to carry out all work with precision from handoff to closeout.
The scope of work for this contract was new construction of two forty-foot-long gantry crane rails, with eight-foot deep footings. Additional tasks included demolishing reinforced concrete, paving new access roadways, installing removable chain link fences and entry gates, performing electrical work, installing two new crane stops, and extending reinforced retaining walls. In order to layout the reinforced concrete footings, rock excavation was required to expose the parallel trenches. Our team worked closely with the facility’s owner and presented a precision plan for rock demolition, while also ensuring preservation of the facilities objective to remain operational during work. This involved the utilization of expanding grout and hydraulic hammers attached to full-size excavators. Precautions were taken to safeguard the facility from any potential harm or possible down time throughout the project.
The success of the project was due to the collaborative efforts of all parties, who prioritized safety from the onset of the project through completion. Environmental parameters
were upheld throughout the project duration, taking special care at any potential runoff locations leading to the adjacent Tuolumne River. We take pride in our partnership with this client, which has continued to flourish through successful projects such as this, characterized by exceptional quality and unwavering commitment to safety.”
— Doug Benton, President, Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc.
Contractors are advised to be aware of several important safety and health issues and ensure that their safety programs, and training efforts are up-to-date. Issues outlined include:
• Non-emergency COVID-19 Prevention regulation,
• Worker Safety and Health in Wildfire regions,
• Heat Illness Prevention for Outdoor workers,
• Cal/OSHA’s Most Frequently Cited Standards in Construction, and
• Assembly Bill No. 521.
A proposed Indoor Heat Standard, and a proposed revision to the Lead in Construction standard are also highlighted in this issue.
The Cal/OSHA Standards Board adopted a NonEmergency COVID-19 Prevention regulation which became effective on February 3, 2023. It will remain in effect until for two years. Recordkeeping sections will remain in effect for three years.
These non-emergency regulations include some of the same requirements found in the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), plus new provisions aimed at making it easier for employers to provide consistent protections to workers and allow for flexibility if changes are made to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance in the future.
Important changes include the elimination of the requirement to pay exclusion pay to employees while they are excluded from work, and employers no longer need to maintain a separate written program—they can include their COVID plan in their IIPP if they wish.
Cal/OSHA has prepared a helpful resource “COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations” which contains the standard, Fact Sheets, FAQs, and a Model COVID-19 Prevention Program: This resource can be reviewed here: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/ coronavirus/Non_Emergency_Regulations/
Wildfire smoke and cleanup operations present hazards that contractors and workers must understand and respond to in an appropriate manner. Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals, gases and fine particulates that can harm health. Proper protective equipment and training is required for worker safety in wildfire regions.
• Identification of harmful exposures
• Com munication
• Training and Instruction (see Appendix B of the section for specific subjects)
• Control of harmful exposures
• Specific particulate sampling requirements if an employer opts to monitor exposure with a direct reading instrument.
Cal/OSHA’s resource page can be reviewed here: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/Worker-Health-andSafety-in-Wildfire-Regions.html
According to the National Weather Service, the summer of 2023 is likely to be hot in the U.S. and not just because it is typically the season to swelter. Ocean temperatures, soil moisture, forecast models and long-term trends are all contributing factors in predicting a warmer-thannormal summer this year.
For the period July–September, temperatures are likely above normal, and there’s an increase in what’s called the “heat index.” High relative humidity combined with high heat makes a person feel hotter than just the temperature.
Since 2005, Cal/OSHA has regulated outdoor worker exposure to heat through enforcement of this regulation, and a wide array of educational and training materials for use by employers to help them voluntarily comply.
Two excellent resources are Cal/OSHA’s “Heat Illness Prevention eTool” prepared by the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service (the non-enforcement arm of
Cal/OSHA). It contains the regulation, Best Practices, and Employer Sample Procedures for Heat Illness Prevention. It can be reviewed here: https://www.dir. ca.gov/dosh/etools/08-006/index.htm
The other resource is UCON’s Safety Handbook, Section Q—Heat Illness Prevention. It can be reviewed here: https://www.unitedcontractors.org/members/ contractor-resource-library?f%5B0%5D=subject%3A2491
Employers are advised to check their programs to ensure they are consistent with the current regulation as the subject of heat illness prevention is the most frequently cited regulation in the construction industry.
Continued on next page
The five most frequently cited standards against construction contractors totaled 1,108 violations, with a total of $1,189,481 in penalties. These five standards have been on the books for many years, and contractors are advised to check their safety programs to ensure they are in compliance with the applicable standard.
Heat Illness Prevention (https://www.dir.ca.gov/ dosh/etools/08-006/index.htm)
Injury and Illness Prevention Program (https:// www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1509.html)
Code of Safe Practices (https://www.dir.ca.gov/ title8/1509.html)
Reporting of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (notification within 8 hours is required) (https:// www.dir.ca.gov/title8/342.html)
Emergency Medical Services (having an appropriately trained person onsite to render first aid) (https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1512.html)
Authored by Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-San Ramon), the bill would require that Cal/OSHA adopt a regulation by 2025 requiring construction sites with at least two restrooms to have a least one reserved for women. The bill does not require women to be working at construction sites to trigger the requirement. The Assembly Member stated that “Women in the trades already face so many barriers, bathroom access should not be one of them.”
Occupational Exposure to Lead in Construction since 2010-2011. The current laws were essentially copied from federal regulations that have been in place since 1979.
Important proposed regulatory changes:
• The first proposed change will require a reduction in the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). As proposed, the PEL will drop from 50 micrograms of lead per cubic centimeter of air (µg/m3) to 10 µg/m3. Many requirements kick in when workers are exposed above this new level including requirements to wear protective suits, use a respirator, and take an on-site shower after exposure
• The second—and potentially more significant— change for most contractors and maintenance crews, will be a reduction in the action level. As proposed, the Action Level (AL) will drop from 30 µg/m³ to 2 µg/m³ of air. If implemented, this reduction may require:
• Workers will be required to get Action Level training
• Additional air samples will need to be taken
• Blood level monitoring of the crew will be required
The proposed revision of the regulation is here: https:// www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/documents/Lead-proptxt.pdf
UCON has partnered with over 20 other construction associations to register our serious concerns about the proposed revisions, and draft letters of opposition have been drafted and will be distributed momentarily.
Our Safety and Insurance Committee’s last July meeting featured Cal/OSHA Consultation Service Senior Safety Engineer, Gary McIver, who discussed hazard correction, hazard identification and overall safety procedures—contact Ursula Becker, Executive Assistant to the EVP, at ubecker@unitedcontractors.org for more information on future meetings.
Although only a proposed regulation at this time, contractors should be aware that the Cal/OSHA Standards Board is considering an indoor heat standard that kicks in at 82° Fahrenheit and has extra requirements once the indoor temperature exceeds 87° Fahrenheit. There could be some limited applications to UCON members who maintain workshops, storage buildings, construction trailers, etc.
The proposed regulation can be reviewed here: https:// www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/documents/Indoor-Heatproptxt.pdf
United Contractors is committed to helping our members meet the safety requirements set for the industry. Let UCON help you with construction safety regulations, and even citations, should they occur. We provide a wide range of services that will ensure your company and employees are protected:
• Assistance of Cal/OSHA questions, problems and citations.
• Advocacy on pending OSHA regulations, and informs members of new requirements.
• Numerous safety products and resources designed to prevent jobsite injuries and OSHA compliance (many FREE to members).
• Safety Advisor—for safety questions and concerns, contact UCON’s Safety Consultant, Chris Lee at (925) 855-7900, ccarllee@sbglobal.net.
The Safety and Insurance Committee provides our membership with information on safe operation in the industry, focusing on preventative safety programs, and the reduction of liability expenses. The committee monitors and advocates on Cal/OSHA issues. It is an open committee to those interested in effective, streamlined safety regulations—join the group, and make a difference.
• Currently 30+ UCON members statewide make up the committee (safety directors, vice-presidents of safety, and senior safety personnel), which meets approximately every six weeks (mostly virtual).
• Chairman: Robert Sabin, Harbor Linx, Inc.
• UCON Staff Liaison: Chris Lee, Safety Consultant
• For more information, contact Ursula Becker, Executive Assistant to the EVP, (925) 362-7307, ubecker@unitedcontractors.org.
$180 billion in critical energy, water, and transportation infrastructure projects will be accelerated over the next decade.
On June 26, California’s State Legislature agreed to advance Governor Newsom’s streamlining package that will accelerate delivery of transportation, water, and energy infrastructure projects, unlocking $180 billion in funds over the next decade.
United Contractors was amongst a coalition of more than 120 industry leaders urging the State Legislature to adopt the Governor’s proposal to streamline permitting, cut red tape, reduce time-consuming litigation, and
speed up project delivery while saving state and local governments and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars.
“This is the most ambitious effort to cut red tape and streamline regulations in a half century” said Emily Cohen, UCON Executive Vice President. “We applaud the State Legislature for adopting Governor Newsom’s infrastructure streamlining proposal as part of this year’s state budget. By reducing hurdles and streamlining regulations, California can get to work faster building vital transportation, water and energy infrastructure that will improve the lives of all Californians while creating hundreds of thousands of industry jobs across the state.”
Hundreds of UCON members engaged in the organization’s grassroots campaign to urge the state legislature to pass this reform package.
United Contractors has long championed many of the proposals included in the Governor’s regulatory reform package to create a better business environment for our contractors and increase delivery of critical infrastructure projects across California—keeping our industry moving ahead. z
Other law firms interpret construction law. Carno Law Group Defines it.
Act Now to Oppose Proposed Drastic Lead Standards Revisions
Cal/OSHA Proposed Lead Standards Pose Significant Financial Burden to Contractors & Construction Workers.
The proposed revisions will present significant compliance cost burdens to contractors and invasive medical and privacy requirements for workers without any evidence of being necessary to protect worker safety.
Background—Cal/OSHA Standards Board has proposed changes to the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1532.1 related to Lead. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health has framed the proposal as necessary to be in compliance with Federal OSHA regulations. However, the proposed regulatory changes include several provisions that go far beyond current Federal requirements.
Cal/OSHA’s proposed changes would reduce the lead Action Level (AL) from 30 to 2 micrograms per cubic meter of air and the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) from 50 to 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air. These extremely low thresholds raise fundamental questions about necessity, attainability, and practicality. They also present serious financial harm to the construction industry and trigger intrusive actions on workers.
The Negative Impacts of Proposed Lead Standards
Revisions: The proposed revisions to the Lead in Construction Standard, Construction Safety Orders, 8CCR 1532.1 will present significant costs to contractors for compliance and invasive medical and privacy requirements for workers without any evidence of being necessary to protect worker safety.
The proposed lead standard revisions will significantly negatively impact construction companies and their workers. More analysis is needed, including demonstrating that the extreme reduction in PELs is necessary and backed by science. UCON Contractors are urged to oppose the current version of the proposed Lead Standards regulations. z
Eligible Contractors Are Encouraged to Submit Applications ASAP
After After significant advocacy led by United Contractors advocacy team and our membership, the California Small Business and Nonprofit COVID-19 Relief Grant Program (to pay for COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave) is now taking applications. After significant advocacy from United Contractors, the State of California built and funded the program in the Budget Act of 2022 (AB178) and authorized it through Assembly Bill 152 in September 2022.
The program has been officially launched and is now taking applications. Eligible contractors are encouraged to submit their grant applications immediately, as there is a significant change the program will be oversubscribed.
The California COVID-19 supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program was created through advocacy efforts by UCON in 2022. It will provide up to $50,000 in financial relief for small businesses, as defined, including many of our contractors.
To qualify for the SPSL Relief Grant, a business must meet all of the following criteria:
1. Is a “C” or “S” corporation, cooperative, limited liability company, partnership or limited partnership;
2. Began operating before June 1, 2021;
3. Is currently active and operating;
4. Has 26 to 49 employees and provides payroll data and an affidavit attesting to that fact;
5. Has provided SPSL pursuant to the requirements of Labor Code §§ 248.6 and 248.7; and,
6. Provides organizing documents.
How does the 26 to 49 employee count work for construction employers who have variable workforces throughout the year?
It is important to note that California construction employers were the only employers who were provided a variance when calculating the less than 50 employee threshold. While the grant program contains the less than 50 employee qualifier to access grant funds for all other employers in the state, we were able to secure industry specific language to allow construction employers to count only “core employees” towards the less than 50 employee threshold. That exemption reads as follows:
“For purposes of calculating the number of employees to determine if the employer meets the 26 to 49 employees requirement for access to the grant program, an employer covered by Industrial Welfare Commission Order No. 16-2001, shall calculate their number of employees as the number of full-time employees that have worked for the employer, without any break in employment, for the past 24 months.”
This language should significantly increase the number of contractors who will qualify for access to the grant program. z
When, and how, can we apply for this grant relief program?
The program is now active and accepting applications through the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz.) Please visit www.caspsl.com to learn more about the program and to apply.
Take advantage of UCON’s 2023 Professional Development classes— more classes have been added! You will find 40+ classes on Leadership, Safety, Compliance, HR, Construction Specific and more. Most classes are FREE to UCON members. Download the latest 2023 UCON Professional Development catalog, and/or register: www.unitedcontractors. org/calendar
For any questions regarding UCON’s programs, contact Angelica Gouig, Director of Events and Education, at agouig@unitedcontractors.org or (925) 362-7309.
JULY COURSES:
JULY 13
CPM Scheduling— Just the Basics
By Angelica Gouig, Director of Events and Education
408.337.5016
Thursday, July 13; 2:30pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Paul Stout, Power Summit Class Style: Virtual |Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: Free | Non-member: $100
JULY 19 - OCTOBER 11
UCON’s Project Management
Career Advancement (PMCA) Program
Wednesdays, July 19 - Oct 11; 9:000am-12:00noon
Instructors: Various Instructors
Class Style: Virtual Class Limit: 25—only 10 spots left!! Cost: Member: $2,200; Non-member $2,300
JULY 26
Communicate with Different Personality Styles
Wednesday, July 26; 2:30pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Carly Dixon, Dale Carnegie Class Style: Virtual Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: Free | Non-member: $100
AUGUST COURSES:
AUGUST 8
Career Path Mapping
Tuesday, August; 2:30pm-5:00pm
Instructor: Stephane McShane, Maxim Consulting Group Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited Cost – Member: Free | Non-member: $100
AUGUST 10
Certified Payroll—Answering Contractors
Most-Frequently Asked Questions
Thursday, August 10; 2:30pm-4:30pm
Instructors: Darbi Griffin and Jesse Jimenez, FFC and Ruby Varnadore, United Contractors
Class Style: Virtual Class Limit: Unlimited
Cost – Member: FREE
Non-member: $100
AUGUST 15
Leading Across Generations
Tuesday, August 15; 2:30pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Cayly Dixon, Dale Carnegie
Class Style: Virtual
Class Limit: Unlimited
Cost – Member: Free
Non-member: $100
AUGUST 22
Getting Results without Authority
Wednesday, August 22; 2:30pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Cayly Dixon, Dale Carnegie Class Style: Virtual
Class Limit: Unlimited
Cost – Member: Free
Non-member: $100
AUGUST 29
Surviving an Active Shooter in the Office and on the Jobsite
Thursday, August 29; 2:30pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Carol Cambridge, The Stay Safe Project
Class Style: Virtual Class Limit: Unlimited
Cost – Member: FREE
Non-member: $100
Thursday, August 31 and Thursday, September 14 8:30pm-12:30pm Instructor: Estie Briggs, Briggs Performance Consulting Class Style: In-Person | Class Limit: 18 Earn 8 PDCs!
Early-Bird: Member: $375; Non-member: $475 Standard Cost: Member: $390; Non-member $490 (Early-Bird pricing expires July 31)
Location: United Contractors OfficeConference Room 17 Crow Canyon Ct., Suite 200, San Ramon, CA Breakfast provided.
4.8/5
It was a sold-out (in-person!) crowd for UCON’s Fearless Field Leader Seminar, held Wednesday, June 14th at the San Ramon Marriott, San Ramon. Over 100 construction field leaders were in attendance learning about ways to effectively mentor, manage, and lead their crews. UCON’s CEO, Mark Breslin, delivered a passionate presentation, sharing his industry insight, personal experience and knowledge. He spoke of innovation and change, and his no-BS approach hit home with the attendees.
**Best leadership class I’ve attended— adapted to the light speed of the construction industry.”
“I recommend this training not only to the field leaders, but all leaders in our company.”
Save the date for Fearless Field Leader, in Southern CA at the Long Beach Marriott, on Thursday, September 21, 2022, 4:30pm-8:00pm
In-Person Class Class Limit: 100 scan the QR code to register—early bird pricing till August 21!
Bakersfield 3105 Gateway Ave (855)376-5050
Dublin 6400 Sierra Ct, Ste G (844)829-1910
Fresno 4569 E. Home Ave (888)585-8137
Napa 10 Enterprise Ct (800)675-2656
Oakland 425 Market St (877)689-7223
Sacramento (I-50) 8400 24th Ave (800)267-1444
Sacramento (I-80) 5425 Stationers Way (844)717-8579
San Carlos 1691 Bayport Ave (888)700-3349
San Francisco 200 Florida St (877)686-7223
San Jose 630 Quinn Ave (800)619-4723
San Rafael 1151 Andersen Dr (888)454-8282
Santa Clara 605 Laurelwood Rd (877)685-7223
Dear Sue,
I run a construction association and my members are always trying to make their jobs safer. Besides the usual things everyone does, what can we do to really level-up safety?
— Level Up Safety
Looking at the definition of Safety gives us different views of focus—safety is defined as a state in which hazards and conditions leading to physical, psychological, or material harm are controlled in order to preserve the health and well-being of individuals and the community.
Most of our focus in the construction industry is on physical safety. But there are two other types of safety that are very important for our construction personnel. It is psychological and emotional safety.
Psychological safety is the belief that you won’t be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.
How important is psychological safety? Let’s look at what happens when this safety value is gone:
Joe works on a project as an operator. He has been doing his job for 20 years and is good at what he does. He is working on a project that is new to him, but he knows that “he’s got this.” On his first day he is told to do something that he thinks is not really the best way to do it. But, hey, it’s my job. So, he does it. Soon he is told to do other things that Joe just thinks makes no sense, is unsafe, unproductive, more costly to do. So, Joe tries to tell his supervisor that this is not the best way to do it. Joe gets yelled at in front of all his crew. So, Joe shuts up and just does what he is told. One day a big issue pops up that stalls the project. No one can work, there are meetings to discuss how to resolve the problem, but no one talks. Time ticks by and the project is still delayed. Now new people are coming on board to write letters to state their position on how they are being damaged by this issue. The project ends way over budget and way behind schedule. The team is stressed out and feels like they are spinning around and getting nowhere.
THIS is the cost of your team not feeling safe to express themselves. Without psychological safety your team is not resilient or creative. It can’t find new paths when there are issues. They sit and wait for an answer to come and to be told what to do.
Psychological Safety means that your people feel free to share what they see and to offer ideas on how to make improvements, or solve problems, or innovate new ways of doing old things. And of course, people who don’t feel psychologically safe don’t stay, because they don’t feel valued, and they don’t feel they are able to use their skills to the fullest.
There are four stages that you/your team go through to build psychological safety.
Stage 1: Feel Included—You feel like you are welcomed and valued.
Stage 2: Feel Safe to Learn—You feel like it is okay to stretch your abilities and to learn new things.
Stage 3: Feel Safe to Contribute
You feel like you can share your expertise and contribute to the success of the team.
Stage 4: Feel Safe to Challenge the Status Quo—You feel like you can point out where things aren’t going so well or share ideas for how to innovate to improve.
All of these require that you can do these things without fear of being punished, ridiculed, or blamed.
You can measure this by asking yourself, and your team, on a scale of 1-10 what number would they give to each of the four stages on your project? Then you can talk about what stage you think you are at overall.
Continued on next page
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In 2023 the construction industry bumped into having the highest rate of suicide of all other industries (farming is not included) with a rate that is four times higher than the general population. This statistic was a shock to many people in the industry. Stress kills, and work-related stress, added to personal stresses, have merged into a dramatic problem. Awareness of this problem is of course the first step. Second is to work to try and prevent deaths. Three significant contributing factors include anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. And of course, these often come together. At greatest risk, are white males, who are most often the victims of construction suicide.
If you want a way to monitor this. Depression might be your best method. Depression has three stages.
First Stage of Depression: Denial—You aren’t aware, or don’t believe that you are depressed.
Second Stage of Depression: Diagnosis—You’ve become aware and have been diagnosed with depression.
Third Stage of Depression: Recovery—You’ve taken steps to move through your depressive state with help from a doctor or therapist, and now are no longer depressed.
For Depression there is a clinical scale of symptoms you can measure. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 never to 10 always) how often, intensely do you experience the following:
• Persistently feeling sad or empty
• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty
• Feeling irritable or restless
• Lack of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
• Lack of energy and feelings of fatigue
• Changes in appetite that may lead to weight gain or loss
• Pain, cramps, or digestive issues that don’t seem to have specific physical cause
• Thought of death of suicide or suicide attempts.
Look at your scores if there are more that are higher than you would like then it is time to move from denial to diagnosis and there are many resources available to you. If you have team members who you see struggling you can use this scale to help them move from denial, to being open for a diagnosis.
You are to be commended for wanting to push safety farther. Now you know of two new safety measures for our project teams to consider. Safety is of course impacted by our physical surroundings, and it is impacted by what is going on within our in own heads, and how we feel. On your projects, without psychological and emotional safety you and your team just aren’t as safe as you need, and your people and your project will suffer. z
Sue Dyer, MBA, is a Master Partnering Facilitator for OrgMetrics, WSJ bestselling author and trainer on Trusted Leadership for construction leaders, and Founder of the International Partnering Institute. Send your questions for Sue to answer at suedyer@orgmet.com, (510) 504-5877.
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DAYLIGHTING
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United Contractors would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the following companies who are celebrating their anniversary of membership with our organization in July:
49 YEARS – 1974
Contractor Member:
Silva’s Pipeline, Inc.
Jim Silva
30 YEARS – 1993
Contractor Members:
C.F. Archibald Paving, Inc.
Curtis Archibald
Esquivel Grading & Paving, Inc.
Jamie Esquivel
Evans Brothers, Inc.
Wil Evans
Gallagher & Burk, Inc.
David DeSilva
Ghilotti Construction Co.
Richard Ghilotti
Stevens Creek Quarry, Inc.
Mark Mallin
29 YEARS – 1994
Contractor Member: Navajo Pipelines, Inc.
Karen Silva
Associate Member: Woodruff-Sawyer & Co.
Bret Lawrence
28 YEARS – 1995
Associate Member: Graniterock
Keith Severson
27 YEARS – 1996
Contractor Members: Appian Engineering, Inc.
Bob Alvey
23 YEARS – 2000
Contractor Member: Silverado Contractors, Inc.
20 YEARS – 2003
Associate Member: Trench & Traffic Supply, Inc.
Michelle Townsend
16 YEARS – 2007
Contractor Member:
12 YEARS – 2011
Contractor Member: Veteran Pipeline Construction
Michael Robirds
Associate Member: Stevenson Supply
Kent Stevenson
11 YEARS – 2012
Contractor Members: Compass Engineering Contractors, Inc.
Mike Moore
Marques General Engineering, Inc.
Jason Anderson
Associate Members: Cal-Sierra Pipe, LLC
Dan Hobbs
Chubb Surety
Robert Walsh
McSherry & Hudson
Chuck Griswold
10 YEARS – 2013
Contractor Members: Underground Construction Co., Inc.
Associate Member: Eighteen Trucking, Inc.
14 YEARS – 2009
Associate Member: EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants
13 YEARS – 2010
Contractor Member: MK Pipelines, Inc.
Sean Brennan
Chris Ronco
Valverde Construction, Inc.
Marcus Gomez
9 YEARS – 2014
Contractor Member: Ferma Corporation
Marc Ferrari
Associate Members: RGW Equipment Sales
Dane Lowry
West Coast Sand & Gravel
James Slater
8 YEAR – 2015
Contractor Member: Underwater Resources, Inc.
Tom Belcher
7 YEARS – 2016
Contractor Members:
JDB & Sons
Construction, Inc.
James Burke
Sinclair General Engineering Construction, Inc.
Sean Sinclair
Associate Members: Security Shoring & Steel Plate
Kimberly Liston-Rivera
6 YEARS – 2017
Contractor Member:
Minerva Construction, Inc.
Noel Kearney
Associate Member:
Construct Your Image
Cole Adams
2 YEARS – 2021
Contractor Members: American Landscape, Inc.
Gary Peterson
Diversified Landscape
Paul Moralez
Don H. Mahaffey
Drilling Co.
Ashley Mahaffey Tullius
Kato Landscaping
Randy Kato
Pac Bay Environmental Services, Inc.
Matt Certa
Pacific Restoration Group
John Richards
Pierre Landscape
Harold Young
Preferred Landscape
Mark Rose
RCB & Sons, Inc.
Eric Barnett
Sierra Landscape Development, Inc.
Kevin Watchler
Sully-Miller Contracting Company
Bill Boyd
Synergy Traffic Control Inc.
Kenny Jones
The Traffic Guys LLC
Carlos Moreno
Associate Members:
Frank M. Booth, Inc.
Larry Booth
Global Leadership Alliance (GLA) Corp.
Liz Romo
Marcum LLP
Warren Hennagin
Underground Republic Water Works
Kurt Vincelette
1 YEAR – 2022
Contractor Members: Bay Engineering LLC
Matt Cox
Scapes, Inc.
Lane L. Poms
Associate Members: BKF Engineers
William Paul
Coats Surety Insurance Services, Inc.
Matthew Coats
Hill & Smith, Inc.
Jeff Shewmaker
Ledwell
Christina Guzman
MPWR Coaching, Inc.
Cody Miller
Caltrans is soliciting Contractor input for making work zones safer. Safety is the number one goal of Caltrans. To address this goal, Caltrans is reaching out to our Contractor Partners to gain input and ideas regarding safety devices aimed at protecting workers.
Caltrans has developed a website, https://caltrans. brightidea.com/WorkzoneSafetyDevices which allows contractor, vendors and interested parties to submit their ideas for work zone safety devices. The website also allows for commenting on submitted device ideas. Caltrans is grateful to the contractor and vendor communities for visiting our work zone safety devices website and making submissions. Caltrans will review all submissions and implement the most promising ones. z
EXCAVATION OF SOIL IS DANGEROUS WORK and can lead to severe injuries and even death if the excavation process is not properly addressed. National Trench Safety has a full complement of excavation support systems as well as engineering and training services to ensure you have the equipment needed to perform the job safely and effectively.
Your company’s initial response to a critical incident is crucial to your employees and your business. United Contractors has developed a simple, three-phase checklist to help you navigate your company in the event of a crisis. This checklist and additional Crisis Response resources can be found at unitedcontractors.org/crisis
If ever in doubt, call United Contractors Help Desk for guidance.
Policies/Procedures for the FIRST HOUR after a critical incident has occurred:
q Call 911 if anyone is injured or other emergency personnel are needed.
q Administer First Aid and/or CPR if needed.
q Secure the site.
q Senior staff member(s) on site must take action to stabilize situation.
q Call first responders as soon as possible. Don’t try to do it yourself.
q Contact necessary personnel to inform them of the incident:
PRESIDENTq Limit media and sightseer presence: Close gates, secure equipment according to access requirements, block areas with caution tape and/ or barricades.
q Run a thorough fact-finding investigation:
– Take photographs.
– Establish who was involved and what work task was being performed. Write down names and contact information of witnesses.
– Interview multiple employees while details are fresh.
– Have at least two company representatives present during the investigation.
q Send home all uninvolved employees: Remind your employees that the only media contact is the company’s one designated spokesperson.
Designate a spokesperson:
q Remind all employees to refer any media personnel to the one designated spokesperson only. Inform internal staff members to field other incoming calls or refer to the appropriate company contact above, including regulatory and enforcement agencies, city officials, legal counsel, concerned family of non-involved employees, etc.
q Contact the family of the injured worker(s): The initial contact serves to inform simply and directly. Make sure to follow these three guidelines: general, details, notify. Help arrange childcare services or transportation to the hospital. A company representative should remain present at the hospital until the situation has diffused.
q Contact UCON to assist with media relations and other crisis response issues—we are here to support you and your team:
Crisis Response: Mark Breslin, CEO (925) 855-7900; mbreslin@unitedcontractors.org
Media Relations: Emily Cohen, EVP (925) 362-7304; ecohen@unitedcontractors.org
Contractor Help Desk: (925) 855-7900
MANAGER DIRECTORIdentify immediate (potential) danger from:
q Fire
q Gas
q Structural Collapse
q Water Leaks
q Damage to existing facilities, adjacent facilities, other private or public property, and any other persons related.
q Contact UCON — Mark Breslin, CEO, and Emily Cohen, EVP, are available to assist you with crisis response, (925) 855-7900. www.unitedcontractors.org/crisis
q Log all communications regarding the incident—This includes emails, agencies contacted, list of witnesses, reports, and claims, etc.
q Contact a crisis management response specialist—Establish group briefings, consultations, 24/7 onsite and telephonic support.
q Distribute trauma and stress forms to all involved employees. Encourage participation—Mitigate the potential long term emotional impact.
q Contact the family of the injured worker(s)—Send condolences, offer support, and establish staff representation for memorial/funeral service or hospital visit.
