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SAFE!(at work)Recognizing NUCA’s 2011 William H. FeatherSafety Award WinnersBy Pam KleinekeSafety is a team effort and requireseveryone’s cooperation for a winningresult in the field. Jobsites offerplenty of opportunities for accidentsand injuries, so adhering to proper safetyprocedures during a project should be No. 1 in acompany’s game plan. By developing structuredsafety programs and reinforcing safe practicesto employees, companies can rest assured thattheir crews are prepared for whatever a jobmay throw at them. These skills and policiestranslate into each crewmember going homeunharmed after the day is done — and that’s ahomerun for everyone.To recognize the all-star companies that strivefor safety and the general well-being of theiremployees, NUCA awards six companies withthe William H. Feather Safety Award. Who isWilliam H. Feather you ask? He was the veryfirst chairman of the Safety Committee andwidely regarded as the backbone of NUCA’searly safety initiatives. He was honored for hismany contributions to the association in 1976when he was named Ditch Digger of the Year,but his premature passing led NUCA to searchfor some additional way to commemorate hispassion for safety. At NUCA’s 1978 conventionin New Orleans, a new award was created torecognize those contractors that exemplify Mr.Feather’s commitment to a safe workplace.The awards are given to companies basedon incidence rate (OSHA 300 log), companysafety statement and company safety programinformation. Participation in NUCA safetyprograms and activities is also taken intoconsideration. The 2011 William H. FeatherSafety awards were given out at the NUCAWashington Summit this past May. Check outthe MVPs of safety over the next four pages.Up to 50,000 Man-HoursIowaTrenchless LLCFounded: 2002Location: Panora, IowaRoster: 19Services: Augerboring, pipe ramming,pipe bursting, pipejacking, microtunneling, rock boring and tunnelingChapter: NUCA of IowaDedication to Safety: Following the approach “Think first,act second and always be prepared,” Iowa Trenchless’ principalgoal is that every employee goes home each day without injury.Education is an important part of its safety program, and eachemployee participates in OSHA 10-Hour, Excavation Safety andCompetent Person, Confined Spaces Entry and CPR/First Aidtraining. Employees also have a great safety resource leadingthe way. Company President Jason Clark is a NUCA-certifiedOSHA Confined Spaces Entry and Competent Person trainer.According to the company, employees are motivated to worksafely, both for their own personal well-being and for that oftheir coworkers. Iowa Trenchless evaluates its employeesthroughout the year — with an emphasis on safety competencyand safe practice procedures — and rewards them accordingly.The company says it continually benefits from its NUCAmembership thanks to great resources such as updates insafety training, industry standards and requirements.Pam Kleineke is Associate Editor of Utility Contractor.18 Utility Contractor | July 2012
DeKalb Pipeline Co. Inc.Founded: 1960Location: Conyers, Ga.50,001-100,000 Man-HoursRoster: 28Services: Complete turnkeysite development and utilitiesconstruction services, fromgrading through completionand follow-upDedication to Safety:Safety is a top priority foreveryone at DeKalb PipelineCo. Despite dealing with hardeconomic times and workingleaner, the company knows safety is not something that canbe negotiated or ignored. From day one with the company,new employees are required to listen to the “New EmployeeSafety Orientation” tape that’s provided in both English andSpanish. DeKalb Pipeline also makes safety a constant topicamong its workforce through participation in weekly Tool BoxTalks, monthly safety videos and drug awareness meetings. Thecompany says its dedication to safety reinforces its employees’commitment to staying safe on the job and it gives them a senseof comfort knowing the company cares about their well-being.As for its NUCA membership, DeKalb Pipeline mentions thatthe association helps the company achieve its safety goals byoffering great training outlets to sculpt well-rounded employees.Since 1997, the company has received the William H. FeatherSafety Award nine times.Underground Utilities Inc.100,001-200,000 Man-HoursFounded: 1978Location: Monroeville, OhioRoster: 90-95Services: Sewer andwater construction,excavation and sitedevelopmentChapter: NUCA of OhioDedication to Safety:Safety is No. 1 at UndergroundUtilities Inc., and thecompany makes sure to getthe message across to eachand every one of its employees.Once a year, the company holds an annual safety seminarwhere an entire day is devoted to training. UndergroundUtilities also publishes a monthly newsletter for its staff andtypically dedicates 50 to 65 percent of it to employee safetyissues. To further emphasize the importance of safety to itscrew, the company frequently sends out memos to all employeesregarding different safety issues. Feedback is alsowelcomed at the company as a way to communicate safetyconcerns and ways to promote a safe work environment.Management encourages its employees to discuss waysto work safer and offer tips to coworkers. According to thecompany, personal protective equipment (PPE) is readilyavailable — all an employee has to do is ask.July 2012 | Utility Contractor 19
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Page 8 and 9: groundbreaking newsMoving OnRobert
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Page 14 and 15: MAC Constructionand Excavating Inc.
Page 16 and 17: Making Safety a Shore ThingFactors
Page 18 and 19: Dan Williamson, National Sales Mana
Page 20 and 21: power often means lower rental rate
Page 22 and 23: Extending along much of the Appalac
Page 24 and 25: Dig Longand ProsperMaintaining Util
Page 26 and 27: Inside WashingtonThe REINS Act: Bri
Page 28 and 29: Nsafety managementSafety Briefings
Page 30 and 31: NUCA newsFiesta!A Festive Annual Me
Page 32: industry calendarJuly 201219 — NU

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