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2009-2010 DIRECTORY
a full-time Certified Safety Professional (CSP) on a full range of safety issues, including how to establish/implement a
successful safety program and remain in compliance with OSHA regulations.
Additionally, the department represents member interests regarding OSHA issues and regulations and works closely
with the Common Ground Alliance on damage prevention best practices. Each December, the department holds
a Safety Directors Forum, which brings together safety professionals from around the country for the purpose of
networking, gaining valuable safety and training advice from expert speakers and discussing safety problems and
solutions in an open forum. Between SDF meetings, NUCA’s Safety Directors Information Network allows safety directors
to stay in touch and share information. NUCA also offers its members an opportunity to belong to the Safety
Ambassadors Club, which provides major funding for a wide variety of new safety resources and initiatives.
Professional Development
Some of the best opportunities for professional development in the industry are provided through the non-profit
NUCA Foundation for Education and Research. The Foundation offers a number of training options, including classroom-based
courses (Core Curriculum and Advanced Institutes for Leadership Development and Leadership Skills
for Crew Leaders) and computer-based programs like the Excavation Safety Orientation Program, Pipe Installation
Training Series and Transporting Construction Equipment course. The Foundation also holds an annual scholarship
competition that awards merit-based scholarships to the children or eligible employees of NUCA members.
Another prime source of professional education is the educational component at Utility Construction EXPO, the
only annual meeting dedicated solely to the needs of the underground utility industry. Next up is Utility Construction
EXPO 2010, Jan. 11-13, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando. NUCA’s standing committees
and forums also offer members excellent opportunities for honing their leadership skills. Members also have access
to discounted professional resources in the form of books, manuals, videos/DVDs and other products related to the
utility construction industry through the NUCA Store.
Member Savings
NUCA is also in the business of saving its members money. A prime example is the NUCA Damage Prevention and Claims
Avoidance Program (CAP). Administered by 2008 Associate of the Year Ron Peterson, Vice President of the Pipeline
Assessment Division of TWS Technical Services LLC in Kansas City, Mo., the program offers NUCA members consultation
on both damage prevention and investigation free of charge. In addition, members can receive one free hour for claims
evaluation per quarter or four free hours per year. After that, members can use the evaluation service at a heavily discounted
rate. In terms of dollars saved in claims
avoidance and litigation this valuable program
has been extremely successful, saving
NUCA members nearly $1 million in
claims since its inception.
NUCA members can also recoup part
of the cost of their annual dues through
savings from NUCA partner companies.
In addition to CAP, these include: CNA
Insurance (NUCA-endorsed business
insurance program), SafetyFirst (vehicle
sticker program), National Equipment
Register (national database of stolen
heavy equipment) and ConstructionJobs.
com (construction recruiting source).
For more information about NUCA, call
(800) 662-6822 or visit www.nuca.com.
The 2009 — 2010 NUCA Executive Committee continues to lead
NUCA to future successes.
28 Utility Contractor | May 2009